HOCKEY CANADA

CALGARY, AB – Team Canada General Manager, Jim Nill (Detroit Red Wings), along with Team Canada Assistant GM Don Maloney (NY Rangers) and Director, Player Personnel Lanny McDonald named five players that will represent Canada at the 2004 IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship, taking place in Prague, Czech Republic, April 24-May 9, 2004.

These five players join the 11 players that were named on Monday in Team Canada’s first round of player announcements:

– Marc Denis Goaltender Montreal, QC Columbus Blue Jackets

– Eric Brewer Defence Kamloops, BC Edmonton Oilers

– Andy Sutton Defence Kingston, ON Atlanta Thrashers

– Shawn Horcoff Forward Trail, BC Edmonton Oilers

– Ryan Smyth Forward Banff, AB Edmonton Oilers

Canada’s roster now stands at 16 players – three goaltenders, six defensemen and seven forwards. Additional players may be announced within the next week, and after the first round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

Brewer, Smyth and Horcoff were all members of last year’s gold medal World Championship team in Finland.

Smyth brings a wealth of leadership and international experience to Team Canada. He is the all-time games played leader for Canada at the Men’s World Championship with 42 games played, and will be playing in his 6th consecutive World Championship. He also was a member of Canada’s gold medal winning team at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

“Ryan’s dedication in representing his country on the international stage is truly outstanding, “ said GM Nill. “Ryan’s experience and leadership will be a definite asset to our team.”

Joel Quenneville will lead Canada behind the bench as Head Coach, while Mike Babcock (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) and Tom Renney (New York Rangers) will be assistant coaches.

Canada won gold at the 2003 Men’s World Championship, as well a two gold medals in the 1990’s – 1994 and again in 1997.

At this year’s Championship in Finland, Canada is in a preliminary round group with Austria, France and Switzerland. Canada’s first game at the 2004 IIHF World Hockey Championship will take place in Prague on April 25 versus Austria.

Canada will depart for Europe on April 16 and travel to Budapest, Hungary where the team will train for four days and play a game on April 20 versus Hungary, prior to arriving in Prague for the World Championship. The team will play another tune up game on April 22, in Prague, versus the Czech Republic.

The official broadcaster of the Hockey Canada, TSN/RDS, will have live TV coverage of the Men’s Worlds, beginning with Canada’s first game of the championship on April 25.

Canada’s 2004 Men’s World Championship roster (as of April 6, 2004):

Name Position Hometown NHL Team (2003-2004)

Marc Denis Goaltender Montreal, QC Columbus Blue Jackets

Jean-Sebastien Giguere Goaltender Montreal, QC Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

* Roberto Luongo Goaltender Montreal QC Florida Panthers

* Jay Bouwmeester Defence Edmonton, AB Florida Panthers

* Eric Brewer Defence Kamloops, BC Edmonton Oilers

Willie Mitchell Defence Port McNeill, BC Minnesota Wild

Derek Morris Defence Edmonton, AB Phoenix Coyotes

Nick Schultz Defence Strasbourg, SK Minnesota Wild

Andy Sutton Defence Kingston, ON Atlanta Thrashers

* Daniel Brière Forward Gatineau, QC Buffalo Sabres

* Dany Heatley Forward Calgary, AB Atlanta Thrashers

* Shawn Horcoff Forward Trail, BC Edmonton Oilers

Rick Nash Forward Brampton, ON Columbus Blue Jackets

Rob Niedermayer Forward Cranbrook, BC Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

* Ryan Smyth Forward Banff, AB Edmonton Oilers

Justin Williams Forward Cobourg, ON Carolina Hurricanes

* Member of Canada’s 2003 gold medal Men’s World Hockey Championship team

For more information:

Brad Pascall

Director, Communications

403-777-4556 / 403-703-8561

bpascall@hockeycanada.ca