December 17, 2003
NR.117

TEAM CANADA ROSTERS NAMED FOR TWO UPCOMING MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM EVENTS – 'LOTTO CUP' AND 'SPENGLER CUP'

CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada announced Wednesday Team Canada’s rosters for two upcoming events taking place in Europe: the Spengler Cup and the Lotto Cup.

The Lotto Cup, formerly known as the Slovakia Cup, will be held in Piestany, Slovakia from December 18-21, 2003. Canada is the defending champions for the Spengler Cup, which is held annually in Davos, Switzerland and is the oldest international tournament in the World, which takes place this year from December 26-31, 2003 at the Davos Arena.

Hockey Canada’s Vice-president, Hockey Johnny Misley and Team Manager Scott Salmond along with Head Coaches Gary Green (Spengler Cup) and Mike McParland (Lotto Cup) have put together rosters of Canadian born players playing in Europe, along with the addition of players on loan from NHL and AHL teams.

Six NHL/AHL teams have loaned their players to Team Canada for the Spengler Cup, providing them with an opportunity to get international experience and to enhance their overall development. Team Canada’s Spengler Cup Team will boast a strong goaltending duo, with two current American Hockey League goalies between the pipes for Team Canada: former NHLers Wade Flaherty (Milwaukee, AHL), and Jamie Hodson (St.John’s, AHL).

“We are very pleased with the players that we have assembled for this year’s December events for Canada’s National team, “ said Misley. “We appreciate the support of the NHL, AHL teams and European Pro Leagues that have loaned their players to represent Canada at these competitions and know that they will have a great experience.“

Canada’s 20-player roster for the Spengler Cup will boast many former NHL players, with their career NHL stats in brackets:
Jamie Heward (239: 25G, 45A, 70PTS), Mark Astley (75: 4G, 19A, 23PTS), Dixon Ward (537: 95G, 129A, 224PTS), Lonny Bohonos (83: 19G, 16A, 35PTS), Hnat Domenichelli (267: 52G, 61A, 113PTS), Stacey Roest (244: 28G, 48A, 76PTS), Yves Sarault (106: 10G, 10A, 20PTS), Mike Maneluk (85: 11G, 10A, 21PTS), Jeff Toms (236: 22G, 33A, 55PTS), Jeff Shantz (642: 72G, 139A, 211PTS), Sebastian Bordeleau (251: 37G, 61A, 98PTS), and Ryan Savoia (3: 0G, 0A, 0PTS).

Head Coach Gary Green, who was Head Coach of last seasons’ Deutschland Cup championship team and Sweden Games team for Canada, will be Team Canada’s Head Coach at the Spengler Cup. Green, who coached the NHL's Washington Capitals from 1979 to '81, will be joined by Assistant Coaches Kent Ruhnke who is coaching with Bern in the Swiss League, and Doug Lidster who is involved with the Canada’s National Women’s Program as an assistant coach for the 2003-2004 season.

Last year, in the 2002 Spengler Cup final, Canada defeated the host team, HC Davos, 3-2. Canada went undefeated in last year’s tournament with a perfect 5-0 record. Overall, Canada has captured nine Spengler Cup Championships in the event’s 76-year existence, including a four-year run from 1995-98

“The Spengler Cup has a tremendous history, and we are honoured to be involved and look forward to defending our championship at this year’s event,“ said Gary Green. “The players that we have assembled, many have represented Canada before on the international stage, and we have a good mix of youth, speed and experience.”

Canada’s roster for the Lotto Cup will feature eleven players that will also be participating on this year’s Spengler Cup team: Matt Kinch, Jamie Heward, Mark Astley, Dixon Ward, Mike Craig, Lonny Bohonos, Jan Alston, Yves Sarault, Stacey Roest, Jeff Toms, and Ryan Savoia.

Head Coach of Team Canada’s Lotto Cup Team, Mike McParland, will be joined by Sean Simpson who is coaching EV Zug in the Swiss League, and Ken Babey who is the Head Coach of SAIT in Calgary, AB – both of whom will act as assistant coaches under McParland.

All of Team Canada’s games at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland will be broadcast in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet, starting December 26, 2003 vs. Germany, check local listings for details.