CBC Sports Online: Hockey Day In Canada 2006

"There's nothing that brings Canadian families closer together than the game of hockey," said Joel Darling, executive producer of Hockey Day in Canada. "On January 7, 2006, it will not matter whether you're in Stephenville, N.L. or Burnaby, B.C., or whether you're an adult or child, father or son, mother or daughter - CBC's Hockey Day in Canada will unite all Canadians from coast to coast to coast in a true grassroots celebration of our country's wonderful game."

During the 13.5 hour-long broadcast, Hockey Day in Canada will visit the following locations across the country, exploring the importance of our game to these communities:

Stephenville, N.L.- MacLean will be joined by Don Cherry and Dick Irvin at the Stephenville Dome to tell the story of hockey's long and important history in Newfoundland. Former NHL star Wendel Clark will also be on-hand in Stephenville

Florenceville, N.B. -CBC's Michael Holmes will report from the Northern Carleton Civic Centre, home to a 12-team Pee Wee tournament presented by the Carleton Minor Hockey Association

Parry Sound, Ont. - CBC's Scott Russell will host from the hometown of Bobby Orr, providing updates from a three-on-three outdoor hockey tournament. Special guest Doug Orr, Bobby Orr's father, will join Russell in Parry Sound for a feature interview

Winkler, Man. - CBC's Mike Beauregard will go rinkside at the Winkler Recreation Centre for coverage of a 16-team pee-wee hockey tournament and street hockey tournament

Calgary, Alta. - CBC's Doug Dirks will be on-location at an outdoor shinny event involving several young players, as part of the South Calgary Community Association's grassroots hockey program

Burnaby, B.C.- Scott Oake and Kelly Hrudey will be on-site at Bill Copeland Arena looking in on the Vancouver Canucks game day skate and a BC Coaches Clinic. Later in the evening, updates from a Junior A British Columbia Hockey League match-up between the Surrey Eagles and Burnaby Express will be featured

In addition to the on-air festivities, the show celebration will feature a live chat with Don Cherry and Kelly Hrudey here online, as well as an exclusive online auction. Featuring one-of-a-kind autographed hockey memorabilia graciously donated by the National Hockey League (NHL), Canadian NHL teams and the NHL Players' Association, the online auction launches on Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. ET and runs until 12 midnight ET on Jan. 8. Proceeds will go to minor hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador.