December 16, 2002
NR.094

FINAL ROSTER FOR CANADA'S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM NAMED FOR 2003 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

HALIFAX, NS - The final roster for Canada's National Junior Team was named by Head Coach Marc Habscheid on Monday, for the 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship from December 26, 2002 to January 5, 2003 in Halifax and Sydney, NS.

The roster includes 21 current and former players from the Canadian Hockey League. The breakdown is as follows: nine players from the Ontario Hockey League, eight players from the Western Hockey League, four players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and one player from the US College ranks. Pierre-Marc Bouchard (Chicoutimi, QMJHL) is on loan from the NHL's Minnesota Wild, while Steve Eminger (Kitchener, OHL) has been made available by the NHL's Washington Capitals.

Four players (Carlo Colaiacovo, Jay McClement, Nathan Paetsch and Scottie Upshall) are returning players, having captured a silver medal at the 2002 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Twelve of the twenty-two players also have international experience, having played with Canada's National Under 18 Team.

Head coach Marc Habscheid also announced that Scottie Upshall, a native of Fort McMurray (AB), will be the team's captain. Alternate captains will be Pierre-Marc Bouchard (Boucherville, QC) and Steve Eminger (Woodbridge, ON).

Canada's National Junior Team will continue it's preparation in Antigonish, and play two international exhibition games on December 20th vs. Slovakia (7pm Atlantic) in Sydney, NS and on December 23rd vs. Finland (8pm Atlantic) in Halifax, NS.

» Team Canada Final Roster