Scotiabank carries the puck coast to coast: Sponsors more than 1,600 minor
hockey teams and leagues this season

TORONTO, Feb. 24 /CNW/ - More than 1,600 minor hockey team and leagues across Canada received Scotiabank's support during their 2009-10 season through Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, which provides financial support and experiential opportunities for boys and girls ages seven to 16. In its second year, the program goes beyond the cheque by giving all sponsored teams the opportunity to win experiences featuring NHL and NHL Alumni players, hockey apparel discounts and the chance to be featured on the most famous hockey show in Canada - Hockey Night in Canada's Scotiabank Hockey Tonight Kids.

"Hockey is more than a sport in Canada, it's imbedded in who we are as Canadians, it's a part of our culture and is rooted strongly at the community level," said John Doig, Senior Vice President, Toronto Region. "As Canada's Hockey Bank, it's important for us to support community hockey programs to help offset some of the expense teams incur and to help keep our kids on the ice."

In the Toronto Region 167 Scotiabank branches participated in the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, which provides each branch with $1,000 to sponsor one or more minor boys or girls hockey team in their region. A total of 190 minor hockey teams and six leagues in the Greater Toronto Area received funding. (For a full list of participating teams, see attached backgrounder).

Along with the financial support, each team in the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program receives exclusive Scotiabank Hockey Club Team Kits which include jersey crests, player booklets, mini first aid kits from hockey retailer Pro Hockey Life, and the NHL DVD, Just like me - The legends and the chance to win a number of memorable hockey experiences.

Once again this year Scotiabank will be awarding ten teams the chance to skate on their home ice and learn and test their on and off-ice skills with NHL Alumni. Ten teams will also have their end-of-year banquet hosted by Scotiabank with special appearances by NHL stars. Six of the sponsored teams will win the opportunity to introduce Hockey Night in Canada on CBC.

"At Scotiabank, we know that minor hockey plays a key role in instilling the values of teamwork, commitment, and discipline, and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age," said Doig. "Our sponsorship program is an important part of efforts to enrich the hockey experience for kids and their families."

About Scotiabank

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 the game and believes it is fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL, NHLPA, NHL Alumni and CWHL, and has partnerships with the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. Most recently, Scotiabank and Pro Hockey Life teamed up to provide exclusive in-store and online discounts to Scotiabank customers, promote advice on equipment and enhance the grassroots community programs of both companies. 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.

For a full list of participating teams from the Toronto Region, please see attached backgrounder.

    
    Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program
    Sponsored Teams*

    *NB: The names are as submitted to the program & identified
    leagues/associations represent multiple teams.

    -  More than 1,600 minor hockey team across Canada are set to receive
       Scotiabank's support in their 2009/2010 season through Scotiabank's
       Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, providing financial support and
       experiential opportunities for boys and girls ages seven to 16.

    -  The program, part of the Scotia Hockey Club umbrella, also offers
       contests featuring NHL players, NHL Alumni and discounts on hockey
       apparel from the Bank's partner, PHL.

    -  Teams across Canada who received support are listed below.

    -  For more information about this program, please contact your local
       Scotiabank branch manager.

    Toronto

    03 Port Credit Storm - Toronto, ON
    1994 Mississauga Rebels - Mississauga, ON
    1996 Ajax Pickering Raiders AAA - Pickering, ON
    2009 North Toronto Select Novice Green Team - Toronto, ON
    2009 Toronto Eagles Peewee AA - Toronto, ON
    2009/10 Mississauga Terriers Minor Peewee AA - Mississauga, ON
    97 AA Vaughan Panthers - Vaughan, ON
    98 York Toros - Downsview, ON
    Agincourt Canadians - Scarborough, ON
    Agincourt Lions Minor Peewee - Scarborough, ON
    Agincourt Lions Sha Minor Midget 1994 - Scarborough, ON
    Ajax Knights Tyke White - Ajax, ON
    Ajax Pickering AAA Raiders Peewee Hockey Team - Ajax, ON
    Ajax Pickering Bantam AAA - Pickering, ON
    Amesbury Attack Minor Atom Team - Etobicoke, ON
    Applewood Coyotes Rep A - Mississauga, ON
    Atom Division - Markham, ON
    Aurora Panthers Girls Atom A Novice - Aurora, ON
    Aurora Pee Wee AA - Aurora, ON
    Aurora Tigers Minor Atom AE - Toronto, ON
    Bantam A Hockey Team - Credit Valley, ON
    Brampton Battalion 1994 AAA - Brampton, ON
    Brampton Battalion AE Minor Peewee Hockey Club - Brampton, ON
    Brampton Canadettes Atom - Brampton, ON
    Brampton Canadettes Midget - Brampton, ON
    Brampton Canadettes Girls Hockey League - Brampton, ON
    Brampton Youth Hockey Association - Brampton, ON
    Brampton Youth Hockey Association Midget Spitfires - Brampton, ON
    Bulldogs Midget Select - Toronto, ON
    Caledon Blackhawks Minor Pee Wee Select - Bolton, ON
    Caledon Hawks Minor Atom A - Bolton, ON
    Caledon Hawks Super 6 - Bolton, ON
    Clarkson Hurricanes PeeWee - Mississauga, ON
    Donaldson's Civitan Club Diamonds - Toronto, ON
    Downsview Bantam A - Toronto, ON
    Duffield Devils - Toronto, ON
    Duffield Devils Atom A 1999 - Toronto, ON
    Duffield Devils Bantam Selects - Toronto, ON
    Erindale 71 Pee Wee Red - Mississauga, ON
    Etobicoke Bulldogs Minor Bantams Select 12/13 - Etobicoke, ON
    Etobicoke Dolphins Peewee BB - Etobicoke, ON
    Faustina Fury Novice Select - Etobicoke, ON
    Forest Hill Mustangs Bantam Hockey Club - Toronto, ON
    Forest Hill Select Novice - Toronto, ON
    George Bell 2002 Titans - Toronto, ON
    George Bell Minor Novice Select - Toronto, ON
    George Bell Titans 2001 - Toronto, ON
    Gord Summers Memorial Hockey League - Toronto, ON
    Goulding Park Rangers - Thornhill, ON
    Goulding Park Rangers Minor Atom AA - North York, ON
    Goulding Park Hockey Association/Goulding Park Rangers Bantam AA 1995 -
     Concord, ON
    Harmony Hawks - Oshawa, ON
    Hillcrest Summits - Willowdale, ON
    Hillcrest Summits Minor Atom A - Toronto, ON
    Hillcrest Summits Minor Midget A Team - Toronto, ON
    Humberview Huskies Bantam - Weston, ON
    Humber Valley Minor Novice Select A Team - Etobicoke, ON
    Humber Valley Sharks Bantam Selects - Etobicoke, ON
    Humber Valley Sharks Minor Bantam A -Etobicoke, ON
    Humber Valley Sharks Peewee AA Team - Toronto, ON
    Lorne Park 51 Atom Red - Mississauga, ON
    Lorne Park Bantam Red - Mississauga, ON
    Lorne Park Minor Hockey Association Ojibwa - Mississauga, ON
    Lorne Park Ojibwa 1999 - Mississauga, ON
    Markham Islanders Minor Atom A - Markham, ON
    Markham Majors 1995 AAA - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers Atom AE - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers Bantam AA - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers Hockey - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers Midget AE - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers Minor Atom AAA - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers Minor Atom AAA Hockey Club - Markham, ON
    Markham Waxers Tyke Super Seven - Markham, ON
    Markham Stouffville Stars Bantam B Team - Stouffville, ON
    Meadowvale Hawks No.61 - Streetsville, ON
    Meadowvale Novice Gold Hockey Team - Mississauga, ON
    Milton Winterhawks Novice AA - Milton, ON
    Minor Atom Blue Division - Oakville, ON
    Minor Atom White Division - Oakville, ON
    Minor Bantam/Bantam/Minor Midget - Whitby, ON
    Minor Bantam AA Hockey Team - Bolton, ON
    Minor Pee Wee 63 - Mississauga, ON
    Minor PeeWee's - Scarborough, ON
    Mississauga Hockey League - Mississauga, ON
    Mississauga Hornets Bantam AA - Mississauga, ON
    Mississauga Senators - Mississauga, ON
    Newmarket Minor Hockey Atom Division Team Scotiabank - Aurora, ON
    Newmarket Minor Peewee A - Newmarket, ON
    Newmarket Redmen Minor Atom AA - Newmarket, ON
    North Halton Twisters Peewee B - Acton, ON
    North Toronto Novice Red Team - Toronto, ON
    North Toronto Select Tyke Green - Toronto, ON
    North Toronto Wild Minor Peewee A - Toronto, ON
    North York Storm Bantam C - Scarborough, ON
    North York Storm Girls Hockey League Atom BB - Toronto, ON
    North York Storm Girls Hockey Peewee B - Toronto, ON
    North York Storm Midget B - Toronto, ON
    North York Storm Girls Hockey League - Toronto, ON
    Novice Select Blues - Toronto, ON
    Oakridges & District Minor Hockey Association - Thornhill, ON
    Oakville Hornets Atom AA - Oakville, ON
    Oakville Hornets Bantam B - Oakville, ON
    Oakville Hornets Novice A - Oakville, ON
    Oakville Minor Midget - Oakville, ON
    Oakville Rangers Bantam A - Oakville, ON
    Oakville Rangers Peewee - Oakville, ON
    Oshawa Harmony Hawks Atoms - Oshawa, ON
    Parkdale Flames House League Teams - Toronto, ON
    Parkdale Flames PeeWee Select - Toronto, ON
    Pickering Panthers Bantam Select - Pickering, ON
    Pizza Pizza - Newmarket, ON
    Richmond Hill Kings Minor Bantam AE Hockey Team - Richmond Hill, ON
    Richmond Hill Pee Wee Select Team - Richmond Hill, ON
    Richmond Hill Stars Novice AA 2009 - Richmond Hill, ON
    Richmond Hill Stars PeeWee AA - Richmond Hill, ON
    Scarborough Coyotes Midget Team - Toronto, ON
    Scarborough Malvern Coyotes - Scarborough, ON
    Scarborough Malvern Coyotes Minor Bantam A - Scarborough, ON
    Scarborough Sharks 2009/2010 Peewee A/BB Girls - Toronto, ON
    Scarborough Young Bruins Minor Midget - Scarborough, ON
    Scarborough Young Leafs Minor Midget A - Scarborough, ON
    Scarborough Young Leafs Minor Peewee - Scarborough, ON
    Scotiabank Atom, Scotiabank Minor Peewee and Scotiabank Peewee teams -
     Whitby, ON
    Scotiabank Bantam White - Georgetown, ON
    Scotiabank Canadians Peewee White - Georgetown, ON
    Scotiabank Tadpoles - Streetsville, ON
    South Central Coyotes Minor Atom AAA - Streetsville, ON
    Streetsville Tigers Peewee AA Team - Streetsville, ON
    Tampa Lightening Bantam - Toronto, ON
    Ted Reeve Thunder Minor Bantam AA - Toronto, ON
    Ted Reeves Tornados - Toronto, ON
    The Duffield Devils Atom A - Toronto, ON
    The Goulding Park Rangers Minor Pee Wee Double A - Toronto, ON
    The Scarborough Young Leafs Hockey Minor Bantam - Toronto, ON
    The Toronto East Enders - Scarborough, ON
    The West Hill Golden Hawks Minor Pee Wee Select - Toronto, ON
    Thornhill Rebels Peewee - Thornhill, ON
    Thornhill Select Minor Bantam - Richmond Hill, ON
    Toronto Aces Atom AA - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Avalanche Bantam A - Toronto, ON
    Toronto City Blues - Toronto, ON
    Toronto City Blues 98 - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Eagle Atom A 99 - Toronto, On
    Toronto Eagles 94 AA - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Eagles 97A Peewee (1997 Peewee A) - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Eagles 99 AA - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Eagles Bantam A - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Eagles Minor Atom AA - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Eagles Minor Pee Wee AA - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Icedogs Minor Midget A - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Penguins 2000A - Toronto, ON
    Toronto Royals Minor Bantam A - Toronto, ON
    Uxbridge Stars Atom A - Uxbridge, ON
    Uxbridge Stars Novice A - Uxbridge, ON
    Vaughan Panther Minor Atom AA - Toronto, ON
    Vaughan Panthers 1997 - Vaughan, ON
    Vaughan Panthers Minor Bantam AA - Vaughan, ON
    Vaughan Panthers Peewee A - Vaughan, ON
    Vaughan Rangers - Toronto, ON
    Vaughan Rangers Pee Wee AA - Vaughan, ON
    Vaughan Rangers Tyke Select 2009-10 - Vaughan, ON
    Victoria Village 1999 Selects - Toronto, ON
    Victoria Village Bantam 1995s - Toronto, ON
    Victoria Village Novice Selects - Toronto, ON
    Victoria Village Tyke Select - Toronto, ON
    Warren Park Eagles Peewee Select - Toronto, ON
    Waxers Tyke Super Seven Team - Markham, ON
    West Hill Golden Hawks Midgets - Scarborough, ON
    West Hill Minor Atom Select - Scarborough, ON
    West Hill Novice 8 Gold Select - Scarborough, ON
    West Mall Lightning Select Minor Peewee - Toronto, ON
    West Mall Lightning Minor Peewee A - Toronto, ON
    Weston Dodgers Atom Select - Weston, ON
    Weston Dodgers Minor Midget - Toronto, ON
    Weston Minor Hockey League 1997 Select - Weston, ON
    Whitby Wildcats Minor Atom AA Hockey Team - Whitby, ON
    Whitby Wolves Girls Hockey - Whitby, On
    Willowdale Red Wings - Downsview, ON
    York Simcoe Express AAA Novice Division - Newmarket, ON
    York Toros 2000 Minor Atom - Toronto, ON
    York Toros Peewee - North York, ON
    

For further information: Livy Feldgajer, Scotiabank Public Affairs, [phone] or [email protected]