The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Physical Education and Health and the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team are pleased to announce that they will take on the Chinese national team at Varsity Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 30. 

This exhibition game is part of a series of games in Team China’s preparations for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. 

"This game gives the University and the Varsity Blues a unique opportunity to showcase its facilities and it’s program to the international hockey community,” said Liz Hoffman, U of T’s director of athletics. “With an incredibly passionate Asian student population at the University and in the greater Toronto area, we hope to see a diverse and enthusiastic crowd at Varsity Arena. This will be an exciting evening and should give Toronto hockey fans a chance to see some great athletes and international women's hockey at its best." 

Team China’s 29 players, staff and accompanying delegation arrived in Toronto on Sept. 3 and will centre their pre-Olympic training camp in the GTA area with all of their practices taking place at The Sports Village in Vaughan. 

The women’s hockey Blues first played the Chinese national team six years ago when they set up a cross-Canada tour in preparation for the 2004 Women’s World Hockey Championship that took place in Halifax, N.S. The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in front of boisterous crowd of close to 3,000 fans. 

“It’s very exciting to be able to play Team China and it’s great for the promotion of women’s hockey, not only at the OUA and CIS level but internationally as well,” said Karen Hughes, head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team. “Team China will be a great test for our team as we wrap up training camp but I know the players are very excited and eager to take on this challenge as we prepare for the upcoming OUA season.” 

While in Ontario, Team China will play 21 games against Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) teams as well as national-ranked CIS teams from Toronto, Wilfrid Laurier and York University.
China will also play Team Ontario Blue and Team Ontario Red as the Ontario teams prepare for the U18 national championship in Surrey, British Columbia. 

The Varsity Blues use this match-up as preparation for their OUA season, which kicks off at home on Saturday October 10, 2009. Toronto hosts the UOIT Ridgebacks at Varsity Arena and game time is set for 4 p.m. 

TICKETS are $10 for adults, $5 for youth and non-U of T students, U of T students and children 12 and under are free. Advance sales are available through http://www.ticketbreak.com or by calling 1.866.9.GET TIX (943-8849). 

MEDIA ACCREDITATION: Please contact Mary Beth Challoner, mb.challoner@utoronto.ca by Monday, Sept. 28 to confirm your attendance and to secure a spot. 

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.