OTTAWA, Sept. 14 - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, announced today the creation of the Clarkson Cup to honour excellence in Canadian women's hockey.

"I would like to follow the lead of my predecessor, Lord Stanley, Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893, by personally contributing a cup, honouring excellence in Canadian women's hockey", said the Governor General.

In making today's announcement, the Governor General wishes to pay tribute from year to year to an exceptional group of female athletes in Canada for their hard work and dedication to the sport of hockey. This idea has sprung out of Canadians' growing interest and respect for women's hockey in Canada.

The Governor General has commissioned Beth Biggs, senior instructor of the Fine Arts and Craft Program of the Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit, Nunavut, to design and create the trophy. Ms. Biggs will develop the trophy with the help of students and graduates of the program. The Clarkson Cup is scheduled to be ready by May 2006