Hockey Canada announced on Friday Canada’s 20-player roster for the 2009 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship, which will be held from January 5-10, 2009 in Füssen, Germany.
Saige Pacholok is from Edmonton, AB and will not only be representing Canada at the Under-18 Worlds, she will be the only player representing Alberta.
"It has taken hard work and determination to get to where I am and I appreciate all that Hockey Alberta has done along the way. It has been a privilege to play for Team Alberta and now I will take what I have gained from being a part of Team Alberta to help Canada play against top U18 teams from across the world," said Pacholok
Pacholok recently captained Team Alberta at the 2008 National Women’s Under-18 Championship in November in Napanee, ON.
"Hockey Alberta has supported me and helped me so much in my development as a player and a person. Participating in Alberta Winter Games as a young girl and then progressing to become a member of Team Alberta for the past three years playing in Nationals and Canada Winter Games has given me much experience, encouragement and confidence to reach the next level.
"I feel a deep sense of honor to have made Team Canada and will always do my best representing my country and remember where I came from and what it took to get there," said Pacholok.
Canada’s roster includes 18 of the 22 players that took part in a three-game series with the USA’s Women’s Under-18 Select Team in Lake Placid, NY in August. Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team lost two out of the three games in the series, winning the final game 3-2 in overtime.
Christine Bestland (Brunkild, MB / Balmoral Hall, Midget AAA) and Melodie Daoust (Valleyfield, QC / Sélects, Midget AA) have been added to the roster. Both players attended the 2008 National Women’s Under-18 Championship in November in Napanee, ON.
Stephanie White, the head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, worked with assistant coaches Danielle Goyette and Caroline Ouellette, along with Hockey Canada’s scouting staff, at various events to finalize the 20-player roster. These events included the National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp from July 22-29 in Calgary, AB, the National Women’s Under-18 Team series against the United States and the 2008 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.
"We are very excited about the roster we have assembled to represent Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship," White says. "We feel these players will give us the best opportunity to find success at the world championship."
Canada claimed the silver medal at the inaugural IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship in Calgary, AB in January, falling to the United States 5-2 in the gold medal game. Three players from that team – Marie-Philip Poulin, Brianne Jenner and Laura Fortino – are on the roster named Friday.
Eight teams will compete in the six-day tournament – Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland and Switzerland will play in Group B, while Germany, Russia, Sweden and the United States will comprise Group A.
For more information on Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and the 2009 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.
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