Young hockey players share the ice with Gretzky and Wickenheiser

Samsung's Hockey Camp contest offers 15 youth an unforgettable experience

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - Fifteen lucky young Canadians converged in Calgary today to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime hockey clinic with hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Hayley Wickenheiser.

The Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids kicked off with breakfast and a motivational speech from Wickenheiser, captain of Canada's Women's team and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Following breakfast, the day included five on-ice skills clinics and a scrimmage match with Gretzky and Wickenheiser, and off ice training with Hockey Canada Trainers. Winners were also treated to one-on-one meet-and-greet sessions and had their photos taken with the hockey stars.

"At Samsung, we understand that passion for hockey begins at a very young age and we were overjoyed to provide this unique experience to 15 aspiring young hockey stars," said Benjamin Lee , President and CEO, Samsung Electronics Canada . "The number of entries we received was overwhelming, and while there were many compelling submissions, we feel that the group today were deserving boys and girls that truly exemplify the meaning of sportsmanship, both on and off the ice."

"I am thrilled to be a part of Team Samsung and to share my passion for hockey with people from across the country," said Hayley Wickenheiser. "As an aspiring young athlete, I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by people who provided the much-needed support and encouragement to get me where I am today. It was a real honour to work with some of Canada's youngest hockey enthusiasts, and I can only hope that my participation today helps inspire these kids to pursue their hopes and dreams."

A panel of judges from Samsung and Hockey Canada selected the winning entries from hundreds of online submissions on the Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids website. Earlier this fall, parents and guardians were invited to nominate their child (ages seven to 14) and, in 300 words or less, explain how he or she best exemplifies Samsung's key hockey values - fair play, team work and skills improvement. The winners and one parent/guardian received roundtrip airfare and accommodation in Calgary for the duration of their stay.

Winners were selected from coast-to-coast and include:

    
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    Name                        Age      Location
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    Myah Bowal                  9        Terrace, BC
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    Tyler Egglestone            10       Whitehorse, YT
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    Grady Franklin              8        Deloraine, MB
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    Abbey Franklin              10       Deloraine, MB
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    Cameron Harvey              10       North Saanich, BC
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    Matthew Hood                10       Fredericton, NB
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    Louis Larochelle            10       Montreal, QC
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    Nathan Ledbury-Swales       11       Barrie, ON
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    Cole McEachern              13       Barrie, ON
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    Lauren Pillisch             12       Markdale, ON
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    Lauren Pye                  7        Auburn, NS
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    Rock Ruschowski             12       Calgary, AB
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    Catherine Turner            13       Airdrie, AB
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    Myriam Wright               10       St-Jacques, NB
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    Marissa Zuchetto            10       Mississauga, ON
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Along with the contest, the Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids website collected funds for Hockey Canada's "Dream Come True" community initiative - a program that funds hockey fees and equipment purchases for underprivileged children across Canada . Samsung matched every dollar donated and a total of $10,000.00 was raised.

The Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids is part of the company's Team Samsung campaign. Through the campaign, Samsung has partnered with an all-star line-up of hockey's greatest players, including Wayne Gretzky, Hayley Wickenheiser and Jarome Iginla, to help make hockey more accessible to kids and to build excitement for the sport as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games approach.

About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

Samsung Electronics Canada , Inc. (SECA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., markets a broad range of award-winning digital consumer electronics, information systems, telecommunications and home appliance products. SECA upholds Samsung's mission to provide consumers with innovative digital convergence products that possess exceptional technology, quality, features, performance and value.

Samsung has been a global TOP sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1998 and has been a presenting sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay from 2004 to 2008. Also through Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope charity, Samsung helps athletes and celebrities raise funds for their respective charities, including the Wayne Gretzky Foundation in Canada . Samsung is also a proud sponsor of Hockey Canada .

For customer service inquiries, please call 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864), and for more information, please visit www.samsung.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: Brock Penner/Scott MacFadyen, APEX Public Relations for Samsung Electronics of Canada, Phone: [phone] ext. 226/243, E-Mail: [email protected]/[email protected]