RBC Insurance launches 2010 search for Canada's most dedicated community
hockey volunteers

13 regional RBC Local Hockey Leaders(R) winners to receive $10,000 each and a place of honour in Hockey Hall of Fame

TORONTO, March 4 /CNW/ - RBC Insurance, with support from Hockey Canada and the Hockey Hall of Fame, today launched its annual nationwide search for outstanding hockey volunteers. Nominations will be accepted online at www.rbclocalhockeyleaders.com until April 9, 2010.

"As Canadians celebrate our Olympic gold-medal victories for men's and women's ice hockey, they may be unaware that without the dedication of local hockey volunteers, these athletes would have never been able to achieve their Olympic dreams," said Neil Skelding, president and CEO, RBC Insurance. "We're excited and proud to celebrate those exceptional individuals who generously give their time to enrich our nation's game in their communities."

Regional winners, one from each of the 13 Hockey Canada branches as well as one RBC employee winner, will receive $10,000 towards a registered charity or hockey cause in their community, a signed Team Canada jersey and trip for two to Toronto, where they will be recognized in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"While the players are the focus of the game, we cannot forget the contributions of the thousands of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the future of Canada's game," said Bob Nicholson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada. "We ask all Canadians to nominate those volunteers and give the rest of Canada the opportunity to thank them for what they do in their communities."

Over the past seven years, RBC Insurance has awarded more than $700,000 to grassroots hockey activities across Canada through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program. Grants from the 2009 RBC Local Hockey Leaders program went towards a new score clock in Moosomin, SK, new goalie equipment in Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, subsidizing travel expenses for a special needs ice hockey tournament in St. Catharines, ON, and many other worthy initiatives.

"Through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program we're able to highlight the efforts of Canada's hockey volunteers in a dedicated display here at the Hockey Hall of Fame," said Bill Hay, chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame. "RBC Insurance is investing in Canadian communities through hockey and we are happy to be a part of this effort."

A panel including women's ice hockey Olympic gold medalist, Cheryl Pounder, National Sledge Hockey Team captain Jean Labonté, hockey legend Ron Ellis, and Ken Corbett, chairman of Hockey Canada's Board of Directors, will select winners from nominations submitted through the program website. Nominations will be accepted until midnight (EDT) on April 9, 2010. To nominate a dedicated minor hockey volunteer from your area, go to www.rbclocalhockeyleaders.com.

RBC Local Hockey Leaders(R) winners are the behind-the-scenes volunteers who make hockey a positive, safe, and enjoyable activity in their communities. Hard work, dedication, commitment and the impact they have on the community will be amongst the criteria considered when evaluating submissions.

For further information: Katie Hammill, Stellick Communications, [email protected], [phone]; Andre Brin, Hockey Canada, [email protected], [phone]; Kelly Masse, Hockey Hall of Fame, [email protected], [phone]; Margie McNeil, RBC Insurance, [email protected], [phone]