2001 National U18 Club Championship

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Air Canada Banquet

Walter Gretzky is to speak at the ACC Awards Banquet on April 27, 2001
-Sponsored by ESPORTA

Also appearing: Barry Trapp - Canadian Hockey Association
- Director , Scouting
- Program of excellence
- Scout for the World Junior Team

Banquet Tickets will be $50.00 each
Sale date to be announced

Prince George, BC will play host to the 23rd edition of the Air Canada Cup, Canada's National Midget Hockey Championship, from April 23-29, with the gold medal final game being televised nationally on TSN and on RDS.

Six teams will be taking part in this year's tournament, one host team and five regional teams (Atlantic, Quebec, Central, West, Pacific)

The National Midget Hockey Championship has been held in British Columbia twice before. The Air Canada Cup was in Victoria, BC in 1982 and in 1996, Kamloops hosted the event. Only once before has a British Columbia captured the Midget Championship, and it goes back to 1982 in Victoria, as the Burnaby Winter Club Travellers defeated the Ste-Foy Gouverneurs in the final. The Burnaby squad included current NHL-er Cliff Ronning.

Other British Columbia natives who have taken part in this annual event include current NHL-ers Joe Sakic and Wade Flaherty as well as former NHL-er Glenn Anderson.

Prince George Cougars

Cougar fans have been called the loudest in hockey, and for good reason. There's been plenty to cheer about since the franchise moved north from Victoria in 1994. After two lacklustre seasons, the team turned things around and began a steady improvement that saw the Cougars advance to the conference final by the 1999-00 season.

Future Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr is perhaps the most illustrious among Cougar alumni. During his junior playing days, he backstopped the Cats to their first ever WHL final appearance in 1980, before helping them take the title the following year. Two years later, the speedy Russ Courtnall was thrilling Cougar fans and keeping up the winning
tradition.

Now, the glory years of the Cougars seem destined to return. With an average crowd of 5,800 packing the 5,500-seat arena, the team is certainly getting all the moral support they need!
Website: http:www.pgcougars.com

Notable Cougar Draft Selections
Eric Brewer (PG) - 5th overall draft pick by New York Islanders in 1997
Russ Courtnall (VIC) - 7th overall draft pick by Toronto in 1983
Grant Fuhr (VIC) - 8th overall draft pick by Edmonton in 1981
Mel Bridgman (VIC) - 1st overall draft pick by Washington in 1975

Community of Prince George

Prince George, British Columbia
Population: 80,845
Website http://princegeorge.ca

A modern cosmopolitan city at the edge of the wilderness, Prince George is the northernmost location in the WHL.
Wood drives the economy here, with 12 sawmills and three pulp mills in operation, but there's a lot more to Prince George than lumber. The city is also a paradise for adventure seekers, with ski resorts like Powder King, wild rivers, and hiking opportunities galore. Prince George also boasts a beautiful riverside pathway system and more than 120 local parks.

When the University of Northern British Columbia opened its doors here in 1994, it was Canada's first new university in 25 years. Today, the UNBC offers 25 undergraduate programs, 12 masters program and one PhD program. The College of New Caledonia is also located in Prince George, along with several other educational institutions. Prince George offers everything you could hope for in a "small" city.

Facilities

Prince George Multiplex
Specifications of the Multiplex:
Seating Capacity: 5796
Standing Room: 210
Ceiling Height: 27 ft ice to lights - 50 ft ice to peaks
Height of glass: 4ft
Corners: 8ft
Sound system: 6 Speakers, 1,500 watt - 3 cordless microphones - Media box and sound booth
Scoreboard: Modern, 6years old - 2 penalties/team, score, time, period
Ice Plant: 150 ton refrigeration unit, 6yrs old
Heating system: Natural gas
Ice surfacing: 1 main Zamboni, 2 more available for backup
Ice surface: NHL sized 200ft X 85ft
Dressing rooms: 4 fully equipped and 1 multi-purpose team room
Lighting: 188 Candlelight

Accommodation

Accommodations are available at The Coast Inn of the North bytelephoning 563-0121 locally or 1(800) 663-1144 for out of town reservations. Directions and further information is available at http://www.coasthotels.com

The Coast Inn of the North is Prince George's premier hotel located in the heart of the city. Fine dining, professional service and extensive conference facilities compliment the 155 well appointed guest rooms, Premium suites as well as the Presidential and Jacuzzi suites. Families and business travellers alike will appreciate the indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna. Within the hotel is shopping and services including a florist, gift shop, newsstand and beauty salon.

Conveniently located near business offices and retail shops, the Coast Inn of the North is located just off Victoria Street at 7th Avenue. Next door is the Prince George Civic Centre and the Two Rivers Art Gallery. If you are arriving by vehicle, follow any major intersection to the downtown core. From the airport, follow Airport Road approximately 5 kms to Highway 97. Turn right and follow signs to city downtown. The Airporter shuttle or taxi are available for transportation to and from the Prince George Municipal Airport.

Two of Prince George's finest restaurants are located in the Coast Inn of the North. "Shogun" is an authentic Japanese Steakhouse featuring the art of Teppan style cooking and a wide variety of sushi. Shoji Rooms are available for private gatherings. Open Wednesday to Friday 11:30AM to 2PM, Tuesday to Thursday 6PM to 10PM and Friday to Sunday 5PM to 10PM. Closed Mondays. For intimate dining, try Winston's Dining Room for outstanding food and superior service. Sit back and enjoy the comforts of cosy wingback chairs and the great menu designed by Chef Mayrhofer. Open Monday to Sunday 6PM to 10PM. The Coffee Garden Restaurant is our all day restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open Monday to Saturday 6AM to 9PM and Sundays 7AM to 5PM. For an informal evening and lighter fare, visit Sgt. O'Flaherty's Deli Pub. Live entertainment, pool tables, darts and big screen TV. Open Monday to Saturday 4PM to 1AM. Closed Sundays.

Sponsors

The Air Canada Cup Host Committee would like to thank all of those involved in putting this tournament together, we would like to especially thank:

Platinum Plus

Prince George Cougars
PGTV
Hits 101.3 FM
CKPG 550 AM
Prince George Citizen Newspaper

Platinum

The City of Prince George
The Coast Inn of the North