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 teams 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 James McPhedran, Senior Vice-President, Ontario 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 Ontario Region, all 197 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 233 minor hockey teams and 22 leagues in Ontario (excluding 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, 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 McPhedran. "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 Ontario 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, Pro Hockey Life.

    -  Teams across Canada who received support are listed below.

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

    Ontario

    Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association - Amherstburg, ON
    Ancaster Avalanche Bantam AE - Ancaster, ON
    Ancaster Avalanche Bantam AA - Ancaster, ON
    Ancaster Avalanche Atom AE - Ancaster, ON
    Ancaster Avalanche PeeWee Select - Hamilton, ON
    Atom B Ice Wolves - Kingston, ON
    Atom House League Scotiabank - Bradford, ON
    Atom Huskies Team 1 - Chelmsford, ON
    Atom Huskies Team 2 - Chelmsford, ON
    Atom Huskies Team 2 - Dowling, ON
    Atom Local League - Angus, ON
    Attack Atom - Kitchener, ON
    Bancroft District Minor Hockey League - Bancroft, ON
    Bantam 14 Yr Boys - Barrie, ON
    Bantam AE - Barrie, ON
    Bantam Black Hawks - Brantford, ON
    Bantam Rep - St. Catharines, ON
    Bantam House League - Port Hope, ON
    Barrie House League Minor Midget 15 Yrs Boys - Barrie, ON
    Barrie Novice AA - Barrie, ON
    Belleville Bearcats - Belleville, ON
    Belleville Bearcats Bantam BB - Belleville, ON
    Belleville Bearcats Midget BB - Belleville, ON
    Belleville Bearcats Peewee B - Belleville, ON
    Belmont Novice A - St. Thomas, ON
    Blind River Lightning - Blind River, ON
    Bradford Bulldogs Minor Peewee Rep A - Bradford, ON
    Brantford Church Hockey Hawks - Brantford, ON
    Brantford Saints MD Minor Pee Wee - Brantford, ON
    Brody's Sports Bar & Grill Bantam - Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    Brussels Blyth Bantam Girls Hockey Team - Listowel, ON
    Cambridge Avalanche - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Hawks Minor Atom MD - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Hawks Minor Pee Wee MD - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Hawks Minor Pee Wee A Team - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Hawks Minor PeeWee AAA - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Hawks Pee Wee A - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Hawks Tyke MD - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Ice Hounds - Cambridge, ON
    Cambridge Roadrunners PeeWee B - Cambridge, ON
    Cannington Sabres Atoms - Cannington, ON
    Centre Wellington BT RS 1 - Fergus, ON
    Chatham Maroons Major Novice AA - Chatham, ON
    Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Bantam - Chatham, ON
    Cobourg Scotiabank Jr Cougar Major Midgets - Cobourg, ON
    Cochrane Power - Cochrane, ON
    Collingwood Atom AE Hockey Team - Collingwood, ON
    Copper Cliff Atom AE Hockey Team - Sudbury, ON
    Coronation Bengals Peewee Select - Hamilton, ON
    Coronation Novice Select - Hamilton, ON
    Crazy Coyotes - Sudbury, ON
    Do All Maintenance Junior Gold Kings - Porcupine, ON
    Dorchester Novice BB - Dorchester, ON
    Dundas Minor Hockey Association - Dundas, ON
    Elliot Lake Minor Hockey - Elliot Lake, ON
    Englehart Atoms Rep Team - Earlton, ON
    Flamborough Sabres Tyke 1 - Waterdown, ON
    Flamborough Sabres Bantam AA - Waterdown, ON
    Flamborough Sabres Major Pee Wee AA - Waterdown, ON
    Fort Erie Stingers - St. Catharines, ON
    Fort William Canadians - Thunder Bay, ON
    Garden City Kiwanis Hockey League - St. Catharines, ON
    Georgina Blaze Minor Midget AA - Keswick, ON
    Georgina Blaze Pee Wee Select - Keswick, ON
    Geraldton Gold Miners - Beardmore, ON
    Gladiators Peewee - Kitchener, ON
    Glanbrook Rangers Atom Rep Team - Hamilton, ON
    Glanbrook Rangers Peewee Rep Team - Hamilton, ON
    Goderich Sailors Atom Rep - Goderich, ON
    Gravenhurst Atom AE Team - Gravenhurst, ON
    Greater Fort Erie Minor Hockey - Fort Erie, ON
    Grey Highlands Shooting Stars Peewees - Markdale, ON
    Guardian Atom Angels - North Bay, ON
    Guelph Jr Storm Novice AA - Guelph, ON
    Guelph Junior Storm - Guelph, ON
    Guelph Thunder PeeWee - Guelph, ON
    Guelph Thunder Novice B - Guelph, ON
    Guthrie Engineering - Belleville, ON
    Haldimand River Cats Bantam A - Caledonia, ON
    Hamilton Bantam Tigers - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton City Hub Blizzards - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton City Hub Spitfires - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Hawks Girls Bantam BB - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Hawks PeeWee BB Rep Team - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Hub Minor Bantam Spitfires - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Minor Pee Wee Blizzards - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Minor Midget Icecats - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Reps 11 AA Hockey Team - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Reps 95 AAA - Hamilton, ON
    Hamilton Reps Bantam AA - Hamilton, ON
    Hanmer Denture Clinic - Sudbury, ON
    Hanmer Denture Clinic - Sudbury, ON
    Hanover Falcons Novice Rep - Hanover, ON
    Huntsville Minor Hockey - Huntsville, ON
    Huron Perth Lakers Major Midgets AAA - Stratford, ON
    Huskies Minor Peewee - Kitchener, ON
    Immaculate Conception B - Peterborough, ON
    Immaculate Conception B - Peterborough, ON
    Immaculate Conception Tyke - Peterborough, ON
    Junior House League - Belleville, ON
    KC Novice Leafs - Thunder Bay, ON
    KC Red Wings - Thunder Bay, ON
    Kingston Bantam Ice Wolves - Kingston, ON
    Kingston Minor Midget AA Canadians - Kingston, ON
    Lakefield Bantam A - Peterborough, ON
    Lakefield Bantam A - Peterborough, ON
    Lakefield Midget B - Peterborough, ON
    Lincoln Atom AE - St. Catharines, ON
    Lindsay Girls Hockey Association - Lindsay, ON
    LJK AAA Minor Bantam Green - London, ON
    London Devilettes Atom AA - London, ON
    London Junior Knights 1995 AAA Gold - London, ON
    Lou Dennis Automotive - Parry Sound, ON
    Loyalist Bantam Jets - Kingston, ON
    Lucan Novice Lambton/Middlesex - London, ON
    Marathon Ice Rats - Marathon, ON
    Marathon Mercs - Marathon, ON
    Mattawa Minor Hockey Association - Mattawa, ON
    Meaford Amateur Athletic Association - Meaford, ON
    Merritton Novice Bulldogs - St. Catharines, ON
    Merritton Peewee Bulldogs - St. Catharines, ON
    Midget House League - Niagara Falls, ON
    Mildmay Monarchs Bantam Rep Team - Hanover, ON
    Milverton Minor Hockey - Milverton, ON
    Minor Atom Lakers AAA - St. Mary's, ON
    Minor Bantam A - Barrie, ON
    Minor Midget A - Linwood, ON
    Minor Midget Phantoms - Hamilton, ON
    Minor Midgets Cyclones - Hamilton, ON
    Minor Peewee A - Innisfil, ON
    Minor/Major Bantam Red Teams - Orangeville, ON
    Mitchell Minor Bantams - Mitchell, ON
    Mount Brydges Cougars - London, ON
    Mount Forest Atom House League - Mount Forest, ON
    Muskoka Mavericks - Bracebridge, ON
    Napanee Crunch Atom Girls - Napanee, ON
    Neebing Hawks Pee Wee AA - Thunder Bay, ON
    New Hamburg Huskies Novice Rep - Kitchener, ON
    Niagara Falls Girls Hockey Association Bantam 1 - Niagara Falls, ON
    Niagara Falls Girls Hockey Association Bantam 2 - Niagara Falls, ON
    Norfolk Hericanes - Port Dover, ON
    Norfolk HERicanes Bantam B Representative - Simcoe, ON
    North Bay & District Peewee AAA Trappers - North Bay, ON
    North Bay Jr Trappers Minor Midget AA - North Bay, ON
    North London Nationals Minor Atom B - London, ON
    North London Novice Red B2 - London, ON
    Northern Mechanical Grizzly's - Timmins, ON
    Novice/Peewee Puckhounds - Haileybury, ON
    Novice House League Team - St. Thomas, ON
    Novice Huskies - Chelmsford, ON
    Oakridge Aeros Minor Midget - London, ON
    Oakridge Aeros Minor Pee Wee 1 Hockey Team - London, ON
    Oakridge Aeros Peewee A/AA Seeded Hockey - London, ON
    Orangeville Flyers 1996 - Orangeville, ON
    Orillia Minor Hockey Association - Orillia, ON
    Parkdale Novice Huskies - Hamilton, ON
    PEC Peewees - Wellington, ON
    Pee Wee AE - Wallaceburg, ON
    Pee Wee House League - Niagara Falls, ON
    Pee Wee Leafs - Hamilton, ON
    Pee Wee Local League - Angus, ON
    PeeWee - Wallaceburg, ON
    Peewee AA Warriors - Stoney Creek, ON
    Peewee B Sharks - Cobourg, ON
    PeeWee House League No.1 - Tillsonburg, ON
    Peewee Huskies - Chelmsford, ON
    Penetang Flames - Penetanguishene, ON
    Port Carling Thunder Novice - Port Carling, ON
    Port Colborne Sailors - Port Colborne, ON
    Powassan Hawks - Powassan, ON
    Prince Edward Minor Hockey Association - Picton, ON
    Quinte West Minor Hockey - Trenton, ON
    Rama Hockey League - Rama, ON
    Red Circle Hockey Club - London, ON
    Riverside Rangers Novice Major - Windsor, ON
    Riverside Rangers Novice Navy Blue Team - Windsor, ON
    Rosedale Devils Peewee Select - Hamilton, ON
    Sabre 97's - Lasalle, ON
    Sarnia Jr Sting Minor PeeWee - Sarnia, ON
    Sarnia Lady Sting Pee Wee B - Sarnia, ON
    Sarnia Hockey Atom House League - Sarnia, ON
    Saugeen Shores Novice - Port Elgin, ON
    Scotiabank - Owen Sound, ON
    Scotiabank Bantam Girls - Leamington, ON
    Scotiabank Bantam Red - Hearst, ON
    Scotiabank Bantam White - Hearst, ON
    Scotiabank Local League Atoms/Scotiabank Local League Pee Wees - Midland,
     ON
    Scotiabank Local League Bantams - Midland, ON
    Soo Thunder - Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    Spirit Atom - Kitchener, ON
    St. Catharines Major Atom Hurricanes - St. Catharines, ON
    St. Catharines Falcons Minor Peewee AA Team - St. Catharines, ON
    St. Catharines Minor Bantam Warriors - St. Catharines, ON
    St. Thomas Junior Stars Major Midget - Aylmer, ON
    St. Catharines Junior Falcon Bantams AAA - Welland, ON
    St. Catharines Minor Atom AAA Falcons - St. Catharines, ON
    Stoney Creek Girls Hockey Association Pee Wee AA Sabres - Hamilton, ON
    Strathroy Minor Hockey Peewee - Strathroy, ON
    Sudbury Minor Atoms AA Bulldogs - Sudbury, ON
    Sudbury Stingers - Sudbury, ON
    TAA A Thorold Blackhawks Atom BB - Thorold, ON
    Tavistock PeeWee AE Titans Hockey Team - Tavistock, ON
    Tecumseh Eagles Bantam A/E - Tecumseh, ON
    Temagami Minor Hockey Association - Temagami, ON
    Temiskaming Shores Minor Hockey Puckhounds Atom Girls C Team - New
     Liskeard, ON
    The Novice AE Warriors - Peterborough, ON
    Thunder Bay Beavers Bantam AA - Beardmore, ON
    Timmins Flyers Midgets - Timmins, ON
    Timmins Porcupine Peewee Girls - Porcupine, ON
    Tiverton Bantam C Girls - Kincardine, ON
    Todd McCracken Copper Cliff Redmen Minor Atom - Sudbury, ON
    Town of New Tecumseth Tornados Bantam LL Team 1 - New Tecumseth, ON
    TSMHA Pee Wee Division - Windsor, ON
    Valley East Cobras Novice A - Azilda, ON
    Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey - Wasaga Beach, ON
    Waterloo Novice MD Ice Wolves - Waterloo, ON
    Waterloo Girls Minor Hockey Association - Waterloo, ON
    Waterloo Minor Hockey Association - Waterloo, ON
    Welland AE Tigers - Welland, ON
    Welland Bantam House League - Welland, ON
    Welland Bantam Minor A Tigers - Welland, ON
    West Ferris Canadian Tire PeeWee - North Bay, ON
    West Ferris Peewee Minor AA Blades Hockey Club - North Bay, ON
    West Ferris Walmart Midgets - North Bay, ON
    West London Hawks PeeWee A/AA - London, ON
    Wilberforce Minor Hockey League - Wilberforce, ON
    Wildcats Minor Bantam - Kitchener, ON
    Windsor Jr. Spitfires - Windsor, ON
    Windsor Minor Hockey Association Atom AE - Windsor, ON
    Windsor Minor Hockey Association Sports Club 444 INC - Windsor, ON
    Windsor Wildcats Bantam AA - Windsor, ON
    Winmar Blue Thunder - Sudbury, ON
    Woodstock Minor Hockey Association - Woodstock, ON
    Woolwich Wildcats - St. Jacobs, ON
    Woolwich Wildcats Minor Peewee A - Kitchener, ON
    Zurich Thunder Peewee Local League - Exeter, ON
    

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