Hockey Alberta has identified the top 20 U18 female hockey players under its Team Alberta program. After a week-long provincial evaluation camp from July 3 – July 8, 2007, the list has been narrowed down from the original top 47 athletes. Team Alberta will be competing at the 2007 National Women’s U18 Hockey Championship in Kitchener, Ont. from Nov. 7 – 11.

"The camp was an excellent opportunity to expose the athletes to the team systems and staff expectations in which the athletes are expected to implement and execute during the Hockey Championship," said Head Coach Doug MacLeod.

Returning to the team from the 2007 Canada Winter Games include: Kanesa Shwetz, Sam Watt, Carly Warren, Saige Pacholok, Reagan Fischer, Kendice Ogilvie and Julie Johnson.

The tournament will feature 18 games over five days, culminating with the gold medal game on Sunday, Nov. 11. The 2007 National Women’s U18 Championship will attract the top female players in Canada who were born in 1990 or later. Teams that are attending include: three-time defending champions Ontario Red, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Atlantic, British Columbia and Ontario Blue.

"We are really excited about taking part in this year’s Hockey Championship. Our team is hard working and very dedicated, it will be a tough tournament, but I think our team is strong enough to face the challenge," said Assistant Coach Cheryl Harwardt.

The team brought home fourth place in the January 2005 Hockey Championship and fifth place in the November 2005 Hockey Championship.

"The coaching staff recognizes the past success of Team Alberta and as a staff we will do our best to prepare them to be successful," said MacLeod.

As a part of the U18 Development Team Alberta Program, Hockey Alberta in partnership with The Alberta Sports Recreation Parks and Wildlife Foundation is sending the team to Hokkaido, Japan as a part of an international sport exchange program. This program is a two year commitment allowing Team Alberta to travel overseas to compete at an international level. Next year, Hokkaido female hockey athletes will travel to Alberta. The team will depart from the Calgary International Airport on August 17 and come back on the 26.

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