Glenn Anderson returns to the ice in Edmonton and encourages public to help
'stick it' to Alzheimer's

    
        The puck drops in the final countdown to Edmonton's inaugural
                      Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's
    

EDMONTON, March 4 /CNW/ - Six-time Stanley Cup champion Glenn Anderson faced-off today in a shinny game to preview the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's coming to Edmonton April 9, 10, and 11, 2010. Anderson and fellow NHL alumni Dave Lumley, Norm Lacombe, Nathan Dempsey, Brian Benning and Rob Brown, hit the ice at West Edmonton Mall's Ice Palace to play with and against leading Scotiabank Pro-Am fundraisers and media personalities to raise awareness of the event and encourage Edmontonians to support the cause. NHL alumni Al Hamilton and Ron Low joined George Marlatte, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Prairie Region, at centre ice for the puck drop to start the game.

"I'm really excited to come back to Edmonton where I have such deep hockey roots. Hockey and this city have given me so much and my involvement in the Scotiabank Pro-Am is a way for me to give back and support a great cause," said Hockey Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson. "I encourage Edmontonians to help me 'stick it' to Alzheimer's by sponsoring a Scotiabank Pro-Am team or player."

Blair Holgate, goalie for the Scotiabank Alzheimer Avengers, joined Glenn in appealing for the public's support by sharing his personal experience with Alzheimer's: "I lost my father to this horrible disease two years ago. It slowly robbed him of his ability to communicate, make decisions and, ultimately, stole his personal dignity when he was no longer able to care for himself. This tournament offers such a unique opportunity to raise awareness and funds to battle Alzheimer's."

Individuals or companies can sponsor Pro-Am teams and participants by visiting www.scotiabankproam.com. Those who make contributions of $100 or more are entitled to complimentary entrance passes to watch the action on April 10 and 11, 2010.

The Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's is an innovative fundraiser that offers amateur hockey players the chance to play with and against a host of NHL alumni while raising critical funds for Alzheimer's research. Team's must raise a minimum of $25,000 and, based on total dollars raised, get to draft an NHL alumnus to play on their team. In addition to Glenn Anderson, NHL alumni confirmed for the tournament include Paul Coffey, Wendel Clark, Mike Pelyk, Lanny MacDonald, Marty McSorley, Mark Napier, Chris Joseph, Rob Brown, Dave Lumley, Norm Lacombe, Ron Low, Kraig Nienhuis, Criag Mactavish, Dave Hunter, Brian Benning and Nathan Dempsey.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's, which is named in tribute to Gordie and in loving memory of his wife Colleen who passed away from Pick's disease, a form of dementia, in March 2009. The Howe Fund will provide valuable funding for research in Alzheimer's and related disorders conducted by scientists at Baycrest, an international leader in aging and brain health, and in Alberta, including research at the University of Alberta through the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit NHL Alumni Association(TM) community programs.

"Today, someone in Canada develops dementia every five minutes. In 30 years, there will be one new case every two minutes," explained Bill Gaudette, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Alberta & Northwest Territories. "More than ever, research is critical. With an increased investment in research, we will learn more about prevention; possibly even discover a treatment to delay the onset of the disease and reduce its impact substantially, and ultimately find a cure."

The Edmonton Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's is an extension of the highly-successful Scotiabank Pro-Am Hockey Tournament - formerly known as the Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament presented by Scotiabank - which has raised more than $7.5 million in its four-year history. The Scotiabank Pro-Am wishes to acknowledge the support of native Edmontonians and business leaders, Greg Christenson, co-owner of the Christenson Group of Companies(TM), and David Cynamon, Executive Chairman, K2 Pure Solutions(TM), who are volunteering their time as Tournament Co-Chairs.

About Baycrest

Baycrest is an academic health sciences centre, internationally renowned for its care of aging adults and its excellence in aging brain research, clinical interventions and treatments, and promising cognitive rehabilitation strategies. For more information about Baycrest, go to www.baycrest.org

About the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's

Gordie and Colleen Howe's contribution to hockey is legendary, earning them the title Mr. and Mrs. Hockey(TM). When Colleen lost her battle with dementia in March of 2009, Gordie lost a wife, his children lost a mother and the world of hockey lost a champion. It was a battle that inspired the Howe family to improve the lives of others affected by the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. In pursuit of this mission, they have attached their name to the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's. The Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's now represents an important partnership between Baycrest, the Alzheimer Society - Alberta & Northwest Territories, and the NHL Alumni Association(TM) in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

About Scotiabank

As the Official Bank of the NHL(R), NHLPA(R), NHL Alumni(TM) and the CWHL, Scotiabank is very proud to be Canada's Hockey Bank. Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. Through its partnerships, Scotiabank's hockey programs enrich the communities where Canadians live and work by engaging fans and players in new ways to celebrate our game. Scotiabank supports the passion and pride Canadians feel for hockey and believes that this great game helps young people learn about teamwork, camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank also has partnerships with the Calgary Flames(R) and the Ottawa Senators(R) whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. For more information on Scotiabank's hockey programs, visit www.scotiahockeyclub.com.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Deborah Spence, Scotiabank Public Affairs, T: [phone], C: [phone], [email protected]; Michelle Cobb, Scotiabank Public Affairs, T: [phone], C: [phone], [email protected]; Ruth Morayniss, Baycrest Foundation, T: [phone] x 2037, [email protected]