May 4, 1999
NR.058

TEAM CANADA TO HONOR STEVE CHIASSON, FORMER TEAM CANADA PLAYER, WITH SPECIAL PATCH ON JERSEY

HAMAR, NORWAY -- Team Canada players will wear a special patch on their jerseys bearing the initials "S.C.", for the balance of the 1999 World Hockey Championship in Norway, Canadian Hockey Association President Bob Nicholson announced Tuesday. The special patch is in memory of veteran NHL veteran defenseman Steve Chiasson who passed away earlier this week as the result of a tragic car accident.

Chiasson, of Barrie, ON, was a member of the gold-medal winning Canadian team at the 1997 World Hockey Championship and also represented Canada at the 1987 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Current Canadian players Rob Blake and Bryan McCabe, and goaltender Rick Tabaracci were teammates of Chiassonâs during the 1997 World Championship.

"As a team, we were devastated by the news of Chiassonâs passing," said Team Canada captain Rob Blake. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Steveâs family and the patches will be a reminder to everyone that weâre playing for Steve and thinking about him."

"Steve was a terrific person, who was very proud to wear the Canadian jersey on those two occasions," said Tom Renney, Vice-president, Hockey. "It comes at a tough time for our players but, as Steve would have wanted, we need to continue and represent Canada proudly as Steve did in the past."

The patch will be worn by all Team Canada players beginning with their game against Italy at 4 pm local time on Wednesday, May 5th.