Hockey Day in Canada a boost for Town of Stephenville

Paul Shelley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and minister responsible for sport in the province, today expressed his delight at Stephenville being chosen as the site for CBC�s sixth annual Hockey Day in Canada scheduled for January 7, 2006.

�Playing host to such a prestigious sporting event is indeed an honour for our province,� said Minister Shelley. �We have produced some top-notch NHL players, and this provides an opportunity for them to showcase their talent on home ice. Up and coming stars such as Michael Ryder, Jason King, Dan Cleary, Ryane Clowe, Brad Brown and Darren Langdon are an inspiration for our minor hockey players who aspire to their greatness. All of these players have come through the Newfoundland and Labrador minor hockey system, and it is exciting to see them display their talents in the National Hockey League.�

The 13.5-hour broadcast will commemorate the significance of hockey across the country. Ron MacLean and Don Cherry will be on location in Stephenville, while other CBC personalities will be reporting from various cities and towns across the country. An NHL tripleheader will also take place, beginning with Ottawa at Montreal at 2:00 p.m. ET, Toronto at Edmonton at 7:00 p.m. ET and Calgary at Vancouver at 10:00 p.m. ET.

�This is a wonderful happening for any community, but is particularly timely in terms of the recent events that have occurred in Stephenville,� continued the minister. �From uncertainty surrounding the mill operations to drastic flooding, the people of Stephenville have experienced a multitude of hardship over the past while, and this event will certainly provide a morale boost for the people of this town and surrounding communities. It is a much-needed positive focus on a town that has such great potential, both human and otherwise.�

Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and MHA for St. George�s - Stephenville East, said this announcement is phenomenal news for a town that has recently endured very trying times. �The Town of Stephenville is renowned for its unrelenting spirit, and nowhere is this truer than in its dedication to sport,� said Minister Burke. �The town has constantly demonstrated its commitment to uniting together, to being team players, and recent events have solidified this reputation. It is only fitting that this nationally-acclaimed sporting event come to this town in the new year.�

The Town of Stephenville was chosen to host Hockey Day in Canada because of its history with minor, high school, junior B and senior hockey. Known as a community that is united by hockey, it has gained infamy from its long-standing rivalry with hockey teams from nearby places such as Corner Brook, Deer Lake and Port aux Basques. Furthermore, the Stephenville Dome is one of the largest ice surfaces east of Montreal, and played host to hockey during the 1999 Canada Games.

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0557, 728-7762

2005 11 01                                            4:15 p.m.