TORONTO – May 18, 2018 – Hockey Canada and Bauer Hockey have extended their partnership through a new eight-year deal that will see the nation’s top teams provided with equipment from the world’s top brand, and a continued collaboration on opportunities to increase participation, welcome new players and engage existing players.

“One of our team’s highest points of pride is our continued partnership with Hockey Canada because it is an example of the game’s best at a variety of age levels selecting BAUER for their game,” said Ed Kinnaly, CEO of Bauer Hockey. “More than the equipment, this partnership allows us to come together with Hockey Canada to advance our shared missions, such as when we created The First Shift in 2013 together, and we’re looking forward to continuing this collaborative approach over the next eight years.”

For the past 45 years, Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada have been partners, and continuing a tradition since 1996, Bauer Hockey will be the official equipment provider of Hockey Canada’s national teams. Canada’s national team players will exclusively wear BAUER helmets, gloves, visors and goal masks, including at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship when it returns to Canadian ice in Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., in December 2018.

“Our partnership with BAUER provides Hockey Canada with the best equipment for our national men’s, women’s, and para hockey teams, while also aligning us with a like-minded organization that cares about growing the game at the grassroots level,” said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer at Hockey Canada. “We look forward to eight more years of collaboration with BAUER from the grassroots level to our high-performance teams.”

In addition to the equipment partnership, Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada will continue to collaborate in areas where they have shared missions. Over the last several years, the two organizations combined resources and expertise to create, launch and expand The Canadian Tire First Shift, a successful program that welcomes new-to-hockey families to the game.

Today in partnership with Canadian Tire it is offered in hundreds of communities across Canada. Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada will continue to identify and develop other initiatives to further advance the game for both new and existing players, including activation at major hockey tournaments and all IIHF events hosted by Hockey Canada.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, visit www.HockeyCanada.ca.

TORONTO, ON, August 2, 2016 - Hockey Canada, in partnership with Nike and players representing Canada’s national women’s, men’s, and sledge teams, unveiled the new Team Canada jersey in Toronto on Tuesday.

Designed by Nike to celebrate Canada’s 150^th anniversary of Confederation, the jersey will make its competitive debut this week when 41 of the nation’s best under-20 players face off against teams from Finland,Sweden, and the United States in Plymouth, Mich., in their quest to represent Canada on home ice when the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship returns to Toronto and Montreal this December.

Tailor-made for the nation’s athletes, the Team Canada jerseys give a nod to Canada’s rich history while also incorporating performance innovation by Nike.

“This jersey is designed to match performance with patriotism,” said Tom Renney, president and chief executive officer, Hockey Canada. “I have been lucky to be able to turn my passion for the game into a career; and what I realized very early on is that hockey goes well beyond what’s learned on the ice. Hockey is part of the fabric of our nation, and teaches all of the life lessons that build great citizens. We wanted to ensure that every aspect of this jersey had a deep meaning to Canadians, while still pushing the envelope with innovation. From the bottom white stripe to the embedded maple leaves, the jersey is emblematic of that intrinsic link between the game and the 35 million Canadians who carry the Maple Leaf in their hearts.”

Engineered using Nike AeroSwift Technology and woven with Ripstop Fabric, the jersey is made to endure the athletes’ fast and physical performance on the ice. Meshed zones under both arms support thermoregulation through optimal ventilation allowing players to stay cool during the game.

The jersey prominently features the Canada 150 logo on both sleeves, composed of a series of diamonds that represent the four original Confederation provinces, forming the shape of the iconic Maple Leaf. On the upper section of the jersey, rows of maple leaves fill the jersey’s shoulder caps, forming one of the most patriotic features ever seen on a national jersey. The icon of the Maple Leaf represents one voice and the repeat of the icon represents the nation rallying around hockey. The unique and classic double-stripe on the jersey’s sleeves returns, but has been accentuated with a black and red accent making the exclusive design pop like never before.

“In 2017, as we celebrate the milestone 150^th anniversary of Confederation, we naturally reflect on the integral role that hockey plays in uniting Canadians,” says Raj Grewal, MP for Brampton East. “This year’s jersey reflects the pride this great game brings to our country and its importance in our culture.”

In addition to the upcoming National Junior Team development camp games, Team Canada fans will see the new jersey in action at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cupwhen the men’s summer under-18 team look to defend their golden streak this month, as well as during a three-game series hosted in Calgary featuring Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team going head-to-head against their U.S. rivals.

The new Team Canada jersey is available on August 2 at Nike stores and online at Nike.com and HockeyCanada.ca/Shop, at Hockey Canada’s official retail partner SportChek, and other Canadian retailers from coast to coast.

About Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 provincial member associations of over 700,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada; provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast to coast; manages numerous regional, national, and international hockey championships and events; and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international hockey competition. Hockey Canada’s mission is to “lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences.”For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or join our social media communities onFacebook, Instagram, SnapChat (@hockey_canada), and Twitter.

About NIKE Inc.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Ore., is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com and follow @Nike.

The goaltenders representing Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship will also be representing their counterparts from Canada’s National Women’s Team with new masks commissioned as part of the Janes ALL IN program.

What do all six goaltenders think of the helmets and what it means to be part of Team Canada?

How do you feel being featured on a mask at World Juniors?

Kristen Campbell (KC): The Canadian hockey tradition growing up is watching the World Juniors and the country really rallies around it, so it’s an honour to be recognized and a part of this year’s World Juniors.

Emerance Maschmeyer (EM): Last year there were six trailblazers of women’s hockey that were honoured on the masks, so to be in this year’s edition, it’s pretty incredible to even be put in the category that they are in.

What does it mean to wear a mask featuring the women’s goalies?

Sebastian Cossa (SC): Hockey is for everybody, male or female it doesn’t matter who, so respecting and appreciating the women’s game is important.

Brett Brochu (BB): Credit is due to women’s hockey; they deserve a lot more attention from fans and professional leagues.

Dylan Garand (DG): It’s great hockey that the women play and they’re just as talented as we are, so it’s cool to be able to share this experience with them and have them be a part of it.

What message do you hope young players take from the masks?

Ann-Renée Desbiens (AD): We’re trying to raise awareness of women’s hockey and most Canadians during the holidays are going to be watching World Juniors, so it’s a good discussion starter … it brings a lot of exposure to women’s hockey and it’s nice to have the support of the men’s side.

EM: The visibility of the men’s game is a lot more than the women’s game, so having that platform and having us on their masks for all those young girls who are watching the World Juniors [is important]. Maybe some young girls don’t even know it’s possible to play at the level we’re playing at.

KC: [Whether] we all started playing boys’ hockey or girls’ hockey, it doesn’t matter, and we got to where we are. I think it just shows that you can pave your own road and end up reaching your goals in the end.

What is your favourite part of the mask?

DG: Designing a mask is a unique and personal thing, but I’m not very good at it myself … so to have a mask designed by Emerance is pretty cool. There are some personal things of hers on there that are creative, like the outdoor rink, I like that a lot.

SB: I think the maple syrup is a good touch with being Canadian and especially since Ann-Renée is from Quebec. And then with [the highlighted word] ‘Family’, family to me is everything.

BB: They did a really good job on the mask and the designs are really cool. I love the picture of Kristen. It would definitely be pretty special to have a helmet with you on it.

CALGARY, Alta. – After a 2020-21 season that saw limited on-ice opportunities and virtual summer camps, Hockey Canada has announced its men’s and women’s national teams will return to the ice in July for their annual summer camps.

From July 25-Aug. 10, Hockey Canada’s national team program, including the men’s under-18 and under-20 teams, and women’s under-18, NextGen (born in 2003), development and senior national teams, will gather in Calgary for a series of on- and off-ice activities for the first time since 2019.

“After a unique and difficult season, Hockey Canada is thrilled to provide our national team athletes and staff the opportunity to return to the ice for our annual summer camps in Calgary,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of national teams. “We look forward to hosting the top athletes and staff from across the country in July, and are excited to kick off our preparations for a new season and a number of international competitions.”

The Program of Excellence (POE) camps, which includes the men’s under-18 and under-20 programs, will take place at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuut'ina Nation, while the BFL National Women’s Program Summer Showcase, presented by Sobeys, will take place at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park. Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will also gather for a five-day off-ice boot camp in preparation for the 2021-22 season and 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

“This year’s summer camps mark the first time that all levels of the National Women’s Program will participate in camp at the same time, helping us provide consistency with all our athletes and staff throughout the program,” said Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, Que.), director of women’s national teams. “Despite a difficult season, our athletes have done an excellent job of staying connected and working hard with limited resources, and we are excited to get back on the ice this summer as we work towards the upcoming season.”

The following national team camps and programs will be hosted in Calgary this summer:

• National Para Hockey Team boot camp (July 21-25)
• National Women’s Team pre-worlds camp (July 25-Aug. 10)
• National Men’s Under-18 Team summer development camp (July 26-Aug. 3)
• BFL National Women’s Under-18 Team summer camp, presented by Sobeys (July 29-Aug. 5) – including NextGen athletes
• BFL National Women’s Development Team summer camp, presented by Sobeys (July 29-Aug. 9)
• National Junior Team summer development camp (July 29-Aug. 3)

In the coming weeks, Hockey Canada will announce the rosters and staffs for each national team program.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

More than a week later, there’s one singular sentence that sticks with Sarah Nurse.

“Diversity is who’s on the team, but inclusion is who gets to play.”

The National Women’s Team forward was one of close to 500 athletes and staff involved with Canada’s national teams – men’s, women’s and para hockey – who took part in mandatory diversity and inclusion training last week.

Hockey Canada remains committed to continuing to listen and learn, and being open to change in an effort to take action around diversity. The seminars are an early step in that commitment.

Discussions on diversity and inclusion had actually been going on for more than a year, championed by Denise Pattyn, Hockey Canada’s director of human resources. As the world changed in the last few months, the conversations picked up.

“We had an opportunity in early June to just continue to have that discussion and talk about what the next steps in her plan were,” says Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of national teams with Hockey Canada. “And then it came to light that with some other things that were happening in our game and around our game and in the world, that we were really short-sighted in not providing an opportunity and taking advantage, quite honestly, of the time that we have right now with our athletes virtually to have an impact.”

Salmond and Pattyn did their research and found Tina Varughese, who has worked extensively with the Province of Alberta’s immigration office and is the president of t Works Inc., which that specializes in cross-cultural communication and work-life balance seminars, and provides customized cultural diversity training.

“She understands the game and she had a really great way of communicating her message to the athletes,” Salmond says.

Varughese focused her seminars on the idea of unconscious bias – underlying attitudes and stereotypes that people attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with others.

“I think the majority of us, if not everyone, feels like they don't have bias towards people. They don't discriminate,” Salmond says. “But when you start to understand what an unconscious bias is and the language that you maybe use in the conversations that you have with other people, you realize that in some ways, without even meaning it, maybe you've created that bias or maybe you have that bias.”

For her part, Varughese was thrilled with the response she received from the athletes and staff.

“They were very keen to be an agent of change … this was incredibly inspiring for me because they are all athletes and in positions of influence,” she said in an interview last week with the Toronto Star.

“I felt they were much more transparent and honest about not only recognizing that they either had unconscious bias or didn’t even know what it was, but they were also very transparent in understanding what other people might go through.”

So what comes next? How does Hockey Canada ensure this is a conversation that continues internally, and also reaches outside the organization to the greater hockey community?

“We've done the virtual part, [so] next time that we have players together, we workshop,” Salmond says. “Talk about what we want the environment to look like, what the athletes want it to look like. I think it's one thing to have a policy or an expectation and to present that or write that somewhere. It's more powerful if the athletes are behind it and they have an opportunity to create it.

“It's really a responsibility that we have as a national sport organization and an opportunity that we have with our athletes and our staff to have an impact at the national level. And hopefully that impact finds its way to club teams and into communities across Canada.”

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence and National Women’s Program are preparing for the 2019-20 season with a pair of four-day goaltending camps at the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. 

The camps bring together the top goaltending talent and elite-level instructors from across the country. They serve as the initial evaluation stage for summer development and selections camps for Canada’s national teams.

The Program of Excellence goaltending camp, set for June 5-8, will welcome 26 male goaltenders, including 10 at the under-20 level, four at the under-18 level and 12 in the under-17 category.

“The Program of Excellence goaltending camp is another great opportunity to work with the top young goaltenders in the country, and a very important part of the development process for these athletes,” said Shawn Bullock, director of men’s national teams for Hockey Canada. “This four-day camp will provide goalies at all levels of our program the benefit of working with and learning from some of the top instructors in Canada in preparation for the upcoming season.” 

On the National Women’s Program side, 20 goaltenders will gather in Calgary from June 6-9 for four days of practices. Eleven goaltenders will participate in the National Women’s Team and National Women’s Development Team camp, joined by nine in the under-18 category.

“We are excited to welcome 20 of the top goaltenders in the country, and to continue to develop the strong talent pool of goalies in Canada,” said Gina Kingsbury, director of women’s national teams for Hockey Canada. “Having all our athletes from the under-18 level to the national team work with the same group of elite coaches provides consistency to our program and allows for development at all ages of the National Women’s Program.”

All on-ice sessions are open to the public and media.

For more information on Hockey Canada, the Program of Excellence and National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

CALGARY, Alta. – The creative minds and artwork of two Canadian hockey fans will be front and centre at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver and Victoria, with their winning sketches having been selected as the fan favourites in the Design-A-Mask contest, hosted by Hockey Canada partners Boston Pizza and Bauer.

Canada’s National Junior Team goaltenders will wear the masks illustrated by 18-year-old Judah Kleinsasser of Ste. Agathe, Man., who won in the 13-18 category, and 10-year-old Henry Goertzen, of Two Hills, Alta., who took top honours in the under-13 category. Both designs were chosen from among four finalists through online voting that garnered more than 3,500 votes per category.

“I’m so excited to be going to my first-ever IIHF World Junior Championship,” said Goertzen. “It’ll also be the first time in my life going to Vancouver. Thank you to everyone who voted for me!” 

Canada’s quest for back-to-back gold medals begins on Boxing Day against Denmark at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Vancouver. The Canadians will also face the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Russia in preliminary-round play at Rogers Arena.

Canadian kids were invited to submit their designs by picking up contest forms at Boston Pizza locations across the country. Design-A-Mask is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that gives budding artists and fans a chance to be part of the IIHF World Junior Championship in a unique way by giving Canada’s goaltenders Canadian artwork to wear on the ice.

“BP is thrilled to have run another successful Design-A-Mask contest alongside our partner Hockey Canada. Together we are excited to reward our talented young illustrators with an unforgettable World Juniors experience,” said Jenna Bull, marketing manager for Boston Pizza International. “We are very proud of our winners this year and very pleased that their designs are going to be showcased at a global level.”

For their winning designs, Kleinsasser and Goertzen will receive their own replica masks, a Team Canada jersey and a trip for two to a Team Canada game at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, as part of their Boston Pizza prize pack.

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Junior Team, and the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

About Boston Pizza
Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada’s No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 390 restaurants in Canada and more than $1 billion in sales. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 50 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great, and in 2014, the Boston Pizza Foundation created Future Prospects to help support organizations that mentor kids to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C., and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ont., and Laval, Que. For more information, visit BostonPizza.com.

CALGARY, Alta. – The creative minds and artwork of two Canadian hockey fans will be front-and-centre at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, with their winning sketches having been selected as the fan-favourites in the Design-A-Mask contest, hosted by Hockey Canada partners Boston Pizza and Bauer.

Canada’s National Junior Team goaltenders will wear the masks illustrated by 18-year-old Brooks Freeman of Virden, Man., who won in the 13-18 category, and 12-year old Brody Panich, of Edmonton, Alta, who took top honours in the under-13 category.

“Imagine a rock-hard piece of rubber flying at your head at 60 mph, so I thought about a hero design like Superman ripping open his shirt [but I did] that with the Team Canada logo,” said Panich, who thinks goalies are the heroes of the game, and the inspiration for his artwork. “I wanted to add stuff about Canada - like the Canadian Railway, because a train is powerful [like Team Canada] and it goes across Canada. I added 13 maple leafs, including the Canada 150 logo, to represent the 13 provinces and territories.” 

Both designs were chosen among four finalists through online voting that garnered more than 12,000 total votes.

“This is an absolute honour to be picked as the winner out of the whole country,” said Freeman. “I came up with the idea for the moose on each side of the helmet because I wanted something unique that would stand out among goalie masks. I am extremely excited to see my design being worn on the world stage by the Team Canada goalies; this is a great step in my graphic design career.”

Canada’s quest for gold in Buffalo begins on Boxing Day against Finland at 4 p.m. ET. Canada and the U.S. will resume their cross-border rivalry on Dec. 29 when, for the first time in the history of the IIHF World Junior Championship, the teams will take to an outdoor rink in preliminary-round action. The hockey powerhouses will play at 3 p.m. ET at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. The game also marks their first meeting since the gold-medal game at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship in Montreal.

Canadian kids were invited to submit their designs by downloading the contest forms from the Hockey Canada web site, or picking them up at Boston Pizza locations across the country. Design-A-Mask is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that gives budding artists and fans a chance to be part of the IIHF World Junior Championship in a unique way by giving Canada’s goaltenders Canadian artwork to wear on the ice.

“We are very excited to be working with Hockey Canada to give these up-and-coming local all-stars the chance to be a part of the IIHF World Junior Championship,” says Jenna Bull, marketing manager for Boston Pizza International. “We’re very proud of our winners this year and very pleased that their designs are going to be showcased at a global level.”

For their winning designs, Freeman and Panich will receive their own replica masks, a Team Canada hockey jersey, as well as a trip for two to a Team Canada game at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, as part of their Boston Pizza prize-pack.

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Junior Team, and the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

About Boston Pizza

Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada’s No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 380 restaurants in Canada and more than $1 billion in sales. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great, and in 2014, the Boston Pizza Foundation created Future Prospects to help support organizations that mentor kids to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C., and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information, visit www.bostonpizza.com.

TORONTO, Ont. – Experience all the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship has to offer – from cheering Team Canada on as it begins its quest for a gold medal on home ice, to the interactive fun at McDonald’s atoMc Seriously Fun Fan Zone – when the tournament opens on Boxing Day at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

The Fan Zone, located in the Air Canada Centre Galleria outside Gate 1 is FREE, interactive, and offers all hockey fans, young and old, the chance to test their hockey skills, win team prizes, and meet Team Canada alumni. Meet 2004 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and Team Canada alumnus, Paul Coffey who will be signing autographs on Dec. 26 from 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

Fans are welcome to visit the Fan Zone between Dec. 26 and 31:

• Monday, Dec. 26: 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 27: 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Dec. 28: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 29: 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Friday, Dec. 30: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 31: 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Pick up a free coffee at the McCafe Truck outside the Air Canada Centre before heading indoors for your chance to win prizes at the McDonald’s atoMc shootout set-up. Activities and booths by Hockey Canada partners TELUS, RBC, Chevrolet, and Esso also offer fun and activities for the whole family.

“Over the past 50 years, McDonald’s has built relationships with Canadians in communities across the country. Demonstrated by McDonald’s atoMc Hockey and Équipe McDo programs, we attempt to keep hockey as fun as possible for thousands of players and families in communities across the country. By sponsoring the Fan Zone at the IIHF World Junior Championship this year, we hope to do the same with thousands of fans coming to watch from around the world,” said Wai-Yee Tsai, national marketing supervisor, McDonald’s.

“The IIHF World Junior Championship is an intense and serious environment for the players playing in the tournament. For the fans, we want to provide a completely different environment at the McDonald’s Fan Zone. We hope fans can come to the game early, experience all the ‘seriously fun’ games the Fan Zone has to offer, and then head to their seats to watch the best young hockey talent in the world.”

GO Transit and UP Express make transportation a breeze for hockey fans

Metrolinx wants to make it easy for fans to experience the World Juniors – Canada’s holiday tradition – with hassle-free service to the Air Canada Centre, and direct access to and from Toronto Pearson on the UP Express for fans who are following their teams as they make their way between the two host cities.

Team Canada’s traditional New Year’s Eve game against the U.S. is sold out, but great seats are still available for 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship games in Toronto and Montreal by visiting HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.