|
December 31, 2008
NR.182
OTTAWA, ON – Members of Canada’s 1988 National Junior Team – which won gold at the 1988 IIHF World Junior
Championship in Moscow – have been introduced as the original members of the Team Canada Alumni Association
(TCAA).
The Hockey Canada Foundation announced the launch of the Team Canada Alumni Association on Wednesday,
December 31 in Ottawa, ON. The program has been set up to bring together all Team Canada alumni, including
players, coaches and support staff. A private website has been created for the Team Canada Alumni Association
and members will be able to re-connect with former teammates and staff online. Members will be kept
up-to-date on Team Canada events and will have the opportunity to work with the Hockey Canada Foundation to
give back to grassroots hockey.
“We’re thrilled today to announce the launch of the Team Canada Alumni Association,” says David Andrews,
president and CEO of the American Hockey League, who was instrumental in the creation of the TCAA. “Our goals
are to recognize the contribution of all Team Canada alumni, be it players, coaches or support staff, and to
give those people the chance to re-connect with old friends. Members will also get the chance to take
leadership roles in giving back to the grassroots of the game.”
At a press conference on Wednesday in Ottawa, Hockey Canada welcomed members of Canada’s championship team
from the 1988 IIHF World Junior Championship. In attendance were:
Defencemen: Greg Hawgood, Chris Joseph, Marc Laniel
Forwards: Warren Babe, Rob Brown, Rob DiMaio, Theoren Fleury, Jody Hull, Mark Pederson
Head coach: Dave Chambers
In addition, Denis Potvin, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who played junior hockey with the Ottawa
67’s, was introduced as a charter member of the TCAA. Potvin played for Team Canada on three occasions, at
the 1976 and 1981 Canada Cups and at the 1986 IIHF World Championship. He played his entire NHL career with
the New York Islanders, helping the team win four consecutive Stanley Cups (1979-83).
“I will always cherish my experiences with Team Canada as some of the best times of my life,” says Potvin.
“The association will give all former players, coaches and support staff the chance to re-connect and share
some of our favourite memories.”
One alumnus of Canada’s National Women’s Team – Susan Scherer – and three players from Canada’s National
Sledge Team – Jean Labonté, Hervé Lord and Todd Nicholson – were also introduced at the press conference as
charter members of the TCAA.
The TCAA was put together by a number of Team Canada alumni. Andrews, the catalyst for the TCAA, served 10
years on the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s development council. He also coached Canada’s 1982
National Men’s Under-18 Team and was an assistant coach at Canada’s Olympic team training camp in 1985.
Past players, coaches and support staff who would like to sign up for the Team Canada Alumni Association
should contact Norm Dueck at npdueck@shaw.ca .
|
