Calgary, Alta – Before the Calgary Inferno hold their training camp at the beginning of next month, the National Women’s program has already selected 14 of the team’s top draft picks and players to participate in the Fall Festival, September 11th – 18th in Calgary.

The invitation list includes 44 of the top female athletes in the country including Calgary’s top draft picks Emerance Maschmeyer and Katelyn Gosling along with the team’s recent trade acquisition, goaltender Genevieve Lacasse. Members of the camp also include the 2016 CHWL Clarkson Cup Championship team from the Inferno: Brigette Lacquette, Meaghan Mikkelson, Bailey Bram, Jessica Campbell, Sarah Davis, Haley Irwin, Brianne Jenner, Rebecca Johnston, Jillian Saulnier, Blayre Turnbull and Hayley Wickenheiser.  

The Fall Festival serves as an important evaluation opportunity for Canada’s National Women’s Team coaching staff leading up to the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Plymouth, Mich., March 31 – April 7, 2017. The 44 players selected will play on two teams, Red and White over the seven-day camp that will feature eight games along with practices at WinSport Canada’s Markin MacPhail Centre. Tickets will be available for $5.

“The high number of the Calgary Inferno athletes in this camp speaks to the high level of talent we’ve acquired at this organization,” commented Jeff Stevenson, interim General Manager of the Inferno. “We wish our players all the best in their pursuits with the National Team program and believe the training that takes place at the festival will be a great lead into the start of our season and training camp.”

The full press release from Hockey Canada is available at; http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2016-17-NWT-Fall-Festival-Rosters-Announced