Hockey Canada Program of Excellence
Hockey Canada, the national sport governing body responsible for hockey in Canada, established the Program of Excellence in 1981 to identify the top caliber hockey players in specific age categories and to provide these players with an opportunity to participate against international competition.
By participating in the Program of Excellence, players are exposed to high caliber coaching and training methods designed to better prepare our national teams to compete against the top teams in the world.
The Program of Excellence has created a process through which potential candidates for regional and national teams participating in international competitions can be selected. To achieve the objectives of the program, the collective resources of HC and all other components of organized hockey in Canada are being utilized. The Program of Excellence will allow Canada to identify and train our most gifted young players, to encourage and motivate them to play for Canada and to provide them with the opportunity to measure and refine their skills against top caliber international competition.
The benefits are enormous not only for the players who participate, but for all levels of organized hockey in Canada. By achieving greater success in international hockey we will develop new pride in our national sport and signify to the rest of the world that hockey is indeed, Canada's game!
As part of the revamped Hockey Canada Program of Excellence there is a transition to the Under-16 OHL Gold Cup from the Under-17 Regional Camps previously hosted by HEO, HNO and OHF Member Partners. The change is to create a continuum of development through camps and competitions for the players in their selection and preparation to participate in the international events in the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence.
The 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge was the last to feature five regional Canadian teams – Atlantic, Ontario, Pacific, Quebec and West. Beginning in 2015, Canada will be represented by three national teams – Black, Red and White. To help identify players for the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Hockey Canada will host the first national under-17 camp July 28 to August 5, 2014, welcoming the best 100 or more players in Canada born in 1998 or later to Calgary. Hockey Canada’s head scout for the men’s Program of Excellence, will lead the player selection for the both the summer camps and three national teams with the assistance from a trio of regional scouts.
The Program of Excellence runs Selection camps at the Under-17, Under-18 and National Junior Team Levels.
The three-tiered Program of Excellence puts in place the foundation of Canada's international presence at the World Junior Championship, beginning its roster at least three years in advance of each World Championship.
