±«ÓăÖ±˛Ąâ€™s Chartrand named Canada’s flagbearer at Games in China
HARBIN, China (CIS) – Canada’s Chef-de-Mission, Peter Baxter, announced Monday the selection of hockey player Cathy Chartrand of ±«ÓăÖ±˛Ą as Team Canada’s flagbearer for the opening ceremonies of the 24th Winter Universiade in Harbin, China.
Chartrand, a 5-foot-10 rearguard from Lac Nominingue, Que., will
lead one of the largest assemblies of athletes, coaches and
administrators Canada has ever sent to the Winter World University
Games. In all, a delegation size of 129 will march behind Chartrand
at the opening ceremonies on February 18.
“Cathy truly embodies the concept of a student-athlete in Canadian
university sport,” said Baxter. “We were very pleased when her team
nominated her for consideration to the mission staff, and we’re
delighted to have her represent not only her sport, but all our
Canadian athletes at the opening ceremonies of the Games.”
A second-year physical education student, Chartrand is enjoying
another standout campaign for the undefeated Martlets, who have
topped the CIS rankings all season after capturing the first
national title in program history in 2007-08. An assistant captain
for ±«ÓăÖ±˛Ą, Chartrand sits fourth in QSSF scoring and leads all
Quebec defenders with nine goals and 20 points in 14 conference
games, one year after being named tournament MVP of the CIS
championship.
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Despite establishing herself as one of the best university players in the country, Chartrand was surprised to learn of her selection.
“It’s a privilege to be given the responsibility of leading all the
athletes as the flagbearer,” said Chartrand, a former member of
Canada’s senior national team, who played in the prestigious Four
Nations Cup in 2002 and 2006. “I was just expecting to come here
and compete with the rest of the team. Especially when you consider
that it’s the first time for women’s hockey at the Games, it makes
it a little more surprising that I was selected for such an
honour.”
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Women’s hockey will make its Universiade debut in Harbin. Canada will compete in a six-team tournament with host China, Finland, Japan, Slovakia and Great Britain, which will be Team Canada’s first opponent on February 18.
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Canada’s participation in the Universiade is managed by the CIS International Programs.
- Team Canada website:
- 2009 Winter Universiade website:
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-CIS-
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For more information please contact:
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Chris Hodges
Communications manager
Team Canada
2009 Winter Universiade
In China: 011 86 15104601380
chodges [at] ctv.ca
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Michel BĂ©langer
Communications manager
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Ph: (613) 562-5670 ext. 25
Cell: (613) 447-6334
belanger [at] universitysport.ca