Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity - RBC Play Hockey celebrates Family Day with free skating in 51 communities across Ontario

Spend Family Day on the ice with Olympic Hockey Greats

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - RBC invites Ontarians across the province to join Olympic gold medalists, RBC employees and other community members on the ice Monday, February 18, 2013 for free RBC Family Day Skates.  Figure skaters, hockey players and first time skaters alike are encouraged to lace up their skates and come out for a spin on the ice while enjoying hot chocolate and other surprises.

"We were inspired by the Family Day holiday to put together a free event that enables families to spend time together being active," said three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and RBC Olympian Jennifer Botterill, who will be at Mississauga Celebration Square from 2 to 4 p.m.  "I am looking forward to sharing the holiday with families in my community."

Fifty-one RBC Family Day Skates will take place across the province - from Sudbury to Hamilton, and from Windsor to Ottawa.  Free hot chocolate, give-aways and autograph sessions are just a few of the exciting surprises scheduled.  Fellow RBC Olympians and hockey greats will be joining Botterill at events across the province including:

• Vicky Sunohara at Leaside Memorial Gardens (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Ted Reeve Arena in Scarborough (from 2 to 4 p.m.)
• Gillian Apps at Ryerson's Mattamy Athletic Centre (from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.)
• Jayna Hefford at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Cheryl Pounder at the Milton Memorial Centre (from 10 to 11 a.m.) and Appley Arena in Burlington (from noon to 1 p.m.)
• Cherie Piper at Uxbridge Arena and Recreation Centre (from noon to 1:30 p.m.) and Milliken Mills Community Rink in Markham (from 2:30 to 4 p.m.)
• Becky Kellar at Mohawk 4 Ice Centre in Hamilton (from 11 a.m. to noon) and Wayne Gretzky Centre in Brantford (from 4 to 5 p.m.)
• Lori Dupuis at Bradford's West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre (from 10 to 11:30 a.m.) and Newmarket's Magna Centre (from 1 to 3 p.m.)
• John Hastings at the Ma-Te-Way Activity Center in Renfrew (from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.)

For full details including times and locations for all 51 RBC Family Day Skates visit rbc.com/familyday.

SOURCE: RBC

Jackie Braden, Director, RBC Brand Communications, 416 974-1724