NHL Partners With Hockey Canada, CJHL For Development Programs:

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NHL partners with Hockey Canada, CJHL for development programs

Monday, 05.11.2009

NHL.com

TORONTO -- The National Hockey League today announced, a ground-breaking agreement with Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League that will see the NHL work with the CJHL's ten member league and 143 teams. The NHL will partner with Hockey Canada and the CJHL to continue to grow the Junior A game across the country through its trademark events -- the World Junior A Challenge, CJHL Prospects Game and National Junior A Championship -- as well as investing in the development of players, coaches and officials involved with Junior A hockey across the country. In addition, the agreement will further a partnership with NHL Central Scouting, allowing scouts to get up-close-and-personal looks at the top Junior A talent in Canada while continuing to assist with player identification and development. "The CJHL plays an important role in developing players and providing national platforms to showcase their great on-ice product," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "We look forward to working with the CJHL to enhance their championship and prospect tournaments." "The Junior A game across Canada continues to grow, and this is a terrific next step for Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League to take," said Scott Smith, chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. "Through this partnership with the NHL, we expect the CJHL and its cornerstone events to continue to develop and evolve." "For the National Hockey League to see the value in an agreement is recognition of the part that Junior A hockey plays across the country," said Paul Lake, chairman of the CJHL. "We could not be more excited by what this partnership means to our game and our events."