Winnipeg, MB – Hockey Canada and the Manitoba organizing committee announced on Thursday that beginning on Saturday February 11 at 10:00 am (CDT) the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship will take Priority Reservations for event ticket packages. By purchasing Priority Reservations, fans will be placed in a priority sequence ensuring the very best seats will be at their disposal once tickets go on sale. These unique Priority Reservations can be purchased for $20.07(all fees included) by calling (204) 780-3333 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Priority sequence will be based on a first come, first serve basis.

“The response to Manitoba having been chosen to host the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship has been overwhelming” said Scott Smith, Senior Vice-President of Business Operations for Hockey Canada. ” Fans have already begun inquiring about ticket purchasing and these Priority Reservations will guarantee that the very best seats will be available to them”.

Ticket packages for the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship (April 3-10, 2007) will go on sale at a later date once the schedule is finalized and approved by the IIHF. Ticket packages for the seventeen scheduled games that will take place at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB will start at $255.00 while early bird three-game packages for games held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, MB will start at $49.00. Further details on ticket and schedule information will be made available at a later date.

” We are excited at the interest shown by all levels within all Manitoba communities” said Kevin Donnelly, Senior Vice President of Event and Facility Managament, TSE. ” This is a great opportunity for Manitobans to express their passion for the game of hockey and prove once again that our province can shine on the World Stage. The Priority Reservations allow all Manitobans to express their excitement during this Olympic period and their support for women’s hockey. ”

The 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship was awarded to Winnipeg, MB on January 12, 2006 after an extensive site selection process headed by Hockey Canada President and Site Selection Committee Chair, Bob Nicholson. Winnipeg, and the Province of Manitoba, have had enormous success at hosting major sporting events, including the 1999 Pan-Am Games, the 1999 IIHF World Junior Championship, National Junior Team Selection Camp and pre-competition games in December 2004 and the recent January 1st Canada vs. USA women’s hockey game which was attended by 12,628 fans.

There will not be an IIHF World Women’s Championship in 2006, as the IIHF does not hold a World Women’s Championship in Olympic years. Canada will defend its Olympic gold medal February 10-24, 2006 in Turin, Italy.

Canada has won eight of nine IIHF World Women’s Championships, since its inception in 1990. Canada lost in the 2005 IIHF World Women’s Championship final to the USA, in a 1-0 game that was decided in a shootout. To date, Canada has hosted the IIHF World Women’s Championship four times, in 2004 (Halifax/Dartmouth, NS), in 2000 (Mississauga, ON), in 1997 (Kitchener, ON) and in 1990 (Ottawa, ON).

For more information on Canada’s NWT and the 2007 World Women’s Hockey Championship visit Hockey Canada’s official website www.hockeycanada.ca.