WINNIPEG – The organizing committee of the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship, along with Hockey Canada, has announced that eight Manitoba communities will host five games and six national team pre-competition camps prior to the championship, which runs April 3-10 in Winnipeg and Selkirk, MB.

PRE-COMPETITION SCHEDULE – all times are Central Time

March 28 Russia vs. China 7:30 p.m. Altona

– Tickets available at Co-op Gas Bar, on sale Feb. 5

– Adults – $10; Students (7-17 yrs) – $8; 6 and under – free

March 29 Kazakhstan vs. Switzerland 7:30 p.m. Winkler

– Tickets available at Co-op Gas Bar or Co-op Truck Stop, on sale Feb. 5

– Adults – $10; Students (7-17 yrs) – $8; 6 and under – free

March 30 Switzerland vs. Russia 7:30 p.m. Steinbach

– Tickets available at Source for Sports or The Edge Skate Shop. For corporate packages, call 346-9249, on sale Feb. 1

– Adults – $10; Students (6-17 yrs) – $5; 5 and under – free

March 31 China vs. Germany 7:30 p.m. Morden

– Tickets available at Thornview Grocery or Canadian Lumber, on sale Feb. 5

– Adults – $10; Students (7-17 yrs) – $8; 6 and under – free

March 31 Canada vs. Finland 7:30 p.m. Selkirk

– Tickets available through Ticketmaster, 204-780-3333 or www.ticketmaster.ca/iihf

Altona, Winkler and Morden are also offering a three-game ticket package for the games being held in those communities. Packages are selling for $24 each, and can be purchased at ticket locations in those communities.

Seven Manitoba communities will host national team pre-competition camps prior to the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship:

Dauphin – Canada (March 24th – April 1st) – For more information: André Brin, Hockey Canada (403-777-4557)

Altona – China (March 25th – April 1st) – For more information: Ken Sawatzky (204-324-8429)

Beausejour – Finland (March 26th – April 1st) – For more information: Bruce Schade (204-268-7567)

Morden – Kazakhstan (March 21st – April 1st) – For more information: Henry Siemens (204-362-3178)

Steinbach – Russia (March 24th – April 1st) – For more information: Cynthia Rempel Patrick (204-326-8571)

Winkler – Switzerland (March 27th – April 1st) – For more information: Henry Siemens (204-362-3178)

Winnipeg – Germany (March 30th – April 1st) – For more information: Kevin Webster, Hockey Canada (403-777-3636)

“This will be an amazing opportunity for these Manitoba communities to share in the success of the IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship,” stated Polly Craik, chair of the organizing committee. “The impact this World Championship will have is going to be felt across the province. It will be great for these host communities to share first hand in the celebration and excitement that the teams and event will bring to Manitoba.”

“The opportunity to see the top female players in the world will be an exciting and memorable opportunity”, said Brian Sarna, president of Hockey Manitoba. “The legacy felt from the success of the games will benefit the growth of our game for years to come. This is one event you will not want to miss.”

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship are on sale now. Fourteen-game packages start at only $209.00. Seventeen-game packages, including all games at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre and the medal games, are also available for purchase.

In addition, the All-Canadian 6-Pack and Selkirk Gold packages are still on sale for just $79.99 each. The All-Canadian 6-Pack features all four of Canada’s round-robin games, as well as the bronze and gold medal games, while the Selkirk Gold package features all three Selkirk round-robin games, the Canada/Finland pre-tournament game, as well as a seat at the gold medal game in Winnipeg on April 10th.

Tickets for the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship can be purchased through Ticketmaster, by phone at 204-780-3333, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca/iihf.

For more information on the National Women’s Team, women’s hockey programs in Canada and other Hockey Canada programs, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.