September 9, 2007
NR.119

CANADA COMPLETES CANADA/ RUSSIA SUPER SERIES WITH UNDEFEATED RECORD

VANCOUVER – Canada’s National Junior Team completed the Canada/Russia Super Series on Sunday in Vancouver, with a 6-1 win over Russia, giving it an undefeated record in the eight-game series. Canada officially won the series when it defeated Russia 8-1 on September 4th in Winnipeg. Canada will be the three-time defending champion at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship in December and January in the Czech Republic.

In part, the Super Series was held to pay tribute to the 35-year anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series. The Super Series also paid tribute to the long-time international Canada-Russia rivalry, notably at the World Junior Championship, where Canadian and Russian teams have faced each other in six of the past seven gold medal games. Canada was coached by head coach Brent Sutter (Red Deer, WHL/ New Jersey, NHL) and assistant coaches Peter DeBoer (Kitchener, OHL) and Benoit Groulx (Gatineau, QMJHL)

The Canada/Russia Super Series, a one-time eight-game series featuring the best Under-20 players from Canada and Russia, started in Russia on August 27th, where games were played in Ufa (August 27, 29) and Omsk (August 31, September 1), followed by four games in Canada (September 4, 5, 7, 9). The Canada/Russia Super Series also helped Hockey Canada evaluate candidates for Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, in the Czech Republic from December 26, 2007 through January 5, 2008. TSN/RDS will broadcast all of Canada’s games from the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Craig Hartsburg (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL), the head coach of Canada’s 2008 National Junior Team this December, was actively involved in the preparation and evaluation of Canada’s team prior to and during the Super Series, working closely with head coach Brent Sutter and his Super Series coaching staff, along with head scout Al Murray.

All eight games, including the four games in Russia, were broadcast by TSN/RDS and Rogers Sportsnet.

Canada/Russia Super Series Overview - view schedule
1 08/27/07 Ufa, Russia CAN 4 RUS 2
2 08/29/07 Ufa, Russia CAN 3 RUS 0
3 08/31/07 Omsk, Russia CAN 6 RUS 2
4 09/01/07 Omsk, Russia CAN 4 RUS 2
5 09/04/07 Winnipeg, Manitoba CAN 8 RUS 1
6 09/05/07 Saskatoon, Sask. CAN 4 RUS 1
7 09/07/07 Red Deer, Alberta CAN 4 RUS 4
8 09/09/07 Vancouver, B.C. CAN 6 RUS 1

Canada/Russia Super Series Award Winners

Following the conclusion of the eighth and final game, the most valuable player award was handed out based on voting with members of the media who attended all eight games.

Most Valuable Player: Sam Gagner, Canada

RETURN FLIGHT INFORMATION
Team Canada players and staff will be en route to various locations in North America on September 10th. A flight itinerary follows for final Canadian destinations. Please coordinate any additional media requests through the players’ and staff members’ respective CHL, college or NHL teams that they will be joining in the coming days.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th

Calgary, AB 1:05 am AC 0228
Zach Boychuk, Leland Irving, Brandon Sutter, Dana Tyrell, Brent Sutter (Head Coach)

Calgary, AB 3:38 pm WJ 450 - Keaton Ellerby

Edmonton, AB 1:20 am AC 8290 - Sam Gagner

Kelowna, BC 8:25 am AC 8410 - Luke Schenn

Montreal, QC 7:10 am AC 0182 - David Perron

Ottawa, ON 1:08 pm AC 0168 - Benoit Groulx (Asst. coach)

Toronto, ON 6:05 am AC 0156
- Stefan Legein, Steve Mason, John Tavares, Pete DeBoer (Asst. coach)

Toronto, ON 3:45 pm AC 0142 Drew Doughty

Note - All other Team Canada players are either leaving directly for U.S. destinations or remaining in Vancouver. Some flight information may change en route.