Wednesday, February 17, 2010

CHL to Participate in 2010 Hockey Summit

Press Release

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Hockey Canada, the International Ice Hockey Federation, the Canadian Hockey League and Molson Coors Canada are proud to announce the presentation of the 2010 Molson Canadian Open Ice Summit focusing on player development and the future of international hockey, to be held in Toronto, Ont. from August 23-27, 2010. Hockey Canada has also been in communication with the National Hockey League, which has pledged its cooperation and support in this initiative.

This will mark the second time that Hockey Canada and Molson have partnered on a hockey summit, but the first time that this many stakeholders have committed to the project.

In 1999, Hockey Canada and Molson partnered with the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs to engage Canadian hockey in a summit focused on improving the hockey environment for 550,000 participants in grassroots hockey throughout Canada. The 11 major recommendations generated during that first summit have had and continue to have a tremendous impact on development programs throughout the Canadian hockey structure, including but not limited to the Canadian Development Model, Hockey Canada Skills Academies and mentorship programs.

Just like in 1999, the 2010 Molson Canadian Open Ice Summit initiative will bring together constituents in leadership roles responsible for all aspects of the game of hockey, beginning with development programming and culminating in discussions on growing and managing the game in North America and throughout the IIHF membership. With the involvement of partners from the international and professional ranks, the 2010 Molson Canadian Open Ice Summit has the potential to impact hockey at levels from grassroots through the top levels of play.

“The 1999 Molson Open Ice Summit represented a launching point for Canadian hockey, and we see the opportunity for an even larger impact for the 2010 Summit,” said Hockey Canada president/CEO Bob Nicholson. “Having so many hockey partners engaged in the process ensures that we will jointly impact player development and hockey’s growth throughout Canada and the world.”

"For the first time we will have the world’s major hockey organizations together discussing essential issues like the future of hockey within the Olympics and international hockey in general, global player development, international transfer issues and player safety," said IIHF president Rene Fasel. “We hope that the Open Ice Summit will have a profound impact on the future of our game.”

"The National Hockey League looks forward to participating in the summit to continue to assist in the growth and development of our great game both throughout North America and across the world," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. “We also look forward to lending the League’s expertise and support on those issues where there is a shared objective as to future direction.”

"On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League we look forward to partnering with the other leaders in the hockey industry at the 2010 Molson Canadian Open Ice Hockey Summit" said CHL president David Branch. "It is important that we gather all of the key resources from time to time to challenge how we may best continue to improve the great game of hockey and grow our game for all of the players, coaches, and fans."

“Molson Canadian is an enthusiastic supporter of hockey and its continued development around the world,” said Peter Nowlan, chief marketing officer of Molson Coors Canada. “We hope to represent the voice of hockey fans and give them a platform to express their views on the future of our game.”

Representatives from the partner organizations will establish a steering committee to plan and guide the event, by identifying and addressing key concerns and issues facing the game today.

While details will be developed over the coming months by the steering committee, August 24-25 will be primarily devoted to elements tied to player development, while the final two days will cover a global perspective, including the future of international competitions and the growth of women’s and men’s hockey.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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