CALGARY – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced that the second annual Program of Excellence (POE) Goaltending Camp will be held at the Norma Bush Arena in Calgary, AB from June 7-10.

Thirteen goaltenders – seven in the under-20 age category (candidates for the 2008 National Junior Team) and six in the under-18 category (candidates for the National Men’s Under-18 Team) – will get the opportunity to work with Corey Hirsch, Hockey Canada’s Goaltending Consultant, during the four-day camp.

Hirsch will be joined by five other instructors, Bill Ranford (goaltending coach, Los Angeles Kings, NHL), Tyler Love (World Pro Goaltending), Sudarshan Maharaj (former New York Islanders goaltending coach), Sean Burke (Los Angeles Kings, NHL), Kim Dillabaugh (goaltender coach for AHL’s Manchester Monarchs, farm team of Los Angeles Kings) and Frédéric Chabot (goaltending coach, Austrian National Team).

Also, NHL goaltender Chris Mason (Red Deer, AB/ Nashville Predators) is confirmed to participate at the camp, and invitations are out to other younger Canadian NHL goaltenders.

All 13 goaltenders were selected by Hockey Canada based on evaluations done by Hirsch and Head Scout Jim Hammett during the 2006-07 season and in consultation with coaches, general managers and team officials throughout the Canadian Hockey League and National Hockey League.

“We had our first POE Goaltending Camp last year and it proved to be a great success – with a goal of further developing the top young Canadian goaltenders,” said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s Senior Director of Men’s National Teams and Communications. “This camp gives these top goaltenders, who are expected be a part of our national teams in the future, the opportunity to learn in a very special environment from some top instructors.”

The camp will include both on-ice and off-ice sessions. The instructors will provide both the participants and Hockey Canada with detailed reports at the conclusion of the camp. All of the on-ice sessions will be held at Norma Bush Arena in Calgary, AB and will be open to the public.

» 2008 National Men's Junior Team
» 2007-08 National Men's Under-18 Team