'New Team in NHL'- Landmark agreement designates Scotiabank Official Bank
    of the NHL and NHLPA in Canada

    TORONTO, Oct. 3 /CNW/ - Scotiabank, the National Hockey League (NHL) and
National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) today announced they have
signed an agreement establishing Scotiabank as the Official Bank of the NHLPA
and NHL in Canada.
    "We are very proud to partner with the NHL and NHLPA," said Rick Waugh,
Scotiabank President and CEO. "This is a true hat-trick. The NHL and NHLPA get
Scotiabank, Canada's most international bank; Scotiabank gets two exciting new
partners to extend the Bank's ongoing support of initiatives that are
important to our customers, employees and communities; and Canadians
everywhere will score with the deal as we introduce a breakthrough new hockey
program in the coming months based on this agreement."
    "The NHL is pleased to welcome Scotiabank as a partner," said
Commissioner Gary Bettman. "Scotiabank is a leader in the international
banking world and has a long history of supporting hockey on all levels in
communities across Canada. We welcome the opportunity to work with Scotiabank
on new marketing initiatives and grass roots programs that will benefit all
NHL fans and allow them even greater access to the game."
    "The NHLPA is excited to announce our partnership with Scotiabank, a
financial institution that has once again demonstrated its commitment to
Canadians and their love of the great game of hockey," said Ian Penny, NHLPA
Associate Counsel. "Our members look forward to working together with
Scotiabank on unique hockey programs involving young players across Canada."
    "At Scotiabank we work to help our customers build a richer life by
helping them become better off financially," said Mr. Waugh. "We also support
important initiatives across Canada and around the world that provide
opportunities for our customers, employees and communities to experience the
richness that life has to offer. From big arenas and professional athletes to
a Sunday afternoon game with the kids, hockey is part of the richness of life
that so many of us enjoy from coast to coast and we are proud to be a part of
that.
    "We hope that today's announcement gives Canadians one more way to build
hockey into their day to day lives," concluded Mr. Waugh.
    Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is a comprehensive agreement
that provides Scotiabank with the exclusive opportunity to nationally market
as the Official Bank of the NHLPA and NHL for all banking services including
credit cards, wealth management and commercial services.
    In addition to becoming the Official Bank of NHL and NHLPA in Canada,
Scotiabank currently has partnerships with the Calgary Flames, the Edmonton
Oilers and the Ottawa Senators whose home arena is Scotiabank Place.
Scotiabank also partners with CBC's Hockey Night in Canada to sponsor its
pre-game show, Scotiabank Hockey Tonight.
    Celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, Scotiabank's support of
hockey dates back to the days of the banker leagues professional hockey that
predate the NHL. The Bank's involvement with the sport has included minor
league team sponsorships, employee volunteer coaching, and a unique hockey
banking program. In the 1970s Scotiabank responded to Canadian kids'
enthusiasm for the game by launching The Scotiabank Hockey College. The
program encouraged Canadian youth to open and maintain savings accounts with
rewards of hockey posters and NHL game tickets. Over the coming months,
Scotiabank will introduce products and services that are built on a hockey
theme.

    About NHL:
    The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the
four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL
consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international
makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters.
According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more
educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than
any other sport. The NHL entertains more than 100 million fans each season
in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN,
CBC, RDS, RIS, NASN, NHL Network and HDNet) and radio (Westwood One and XM
Radio). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL
raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey's All-Star Kids
and NHL Diversity, and supports the charitable efforts of all NHL players. For
more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

    About the NHLPA:
    The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), established in
1967, is a labour union whose members are the players in the National Hockey
League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines
such as labour law, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and
community relations. In 1999, the NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund, a
$15-million hockey program which is the largest grassroots hockey program ever
created. The players' program has donated full sets of hockey equipment to
more than 8,000 economically challenged children in 17 countries and assisted
with upgrades and the building of hundreds of arenas world-wide. For more
information on the NHLPA, please visit nhlpa.com.

    About Scotiabank:
    Scotiabank, one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank, is committed to supporting the communities
in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. With almost 60,000
employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12 million
customers in some 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse
range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and
investment banking. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian
corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in
2006 the Bank provided more than $42 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. Scotiabank is on the World
Wide Web at www.scotiabank.comBACKGROUNDER
                  SCOTIABANK COMMUNITY / HOCKEY QUICK FACTS

    Scotiabank's Community Involvement
    ----------------------------------
      -  Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we
         live, work and play, both in Canada and abroad.
      -  Scotiabank is recognized as a leader internationally and among
         Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
         activities.
      -  In 2006 Scotiabank provided more than $42 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.

    Scotiabank's Hockey History
    ---------------------------
      -  Minor hockey - Scotiabank has a long history of supporting minor
         hockey in Canadian communities through team sponsorships and
         Scotiabank employee volunteerism.
      -  Scotiabank Hockey College (1971) - This hockey-themed banking
         program created a hockey club for Canadian youth while introducing
         them to banking and savings practices. Participation included a
         monthly publication, "Hockey College News", featuring hockey heroes
         and banking tips. Kids could also win NHL game tickets and trips to
         Disney World. Nearly 225,000 youth registered for the College.
      -  The Bankers Hockey League (1908) - Scotiabank participating in The
         Bankers Hockey League which provided high caliber hockey in Canada
         before the formation of the National Hockey League. The Bank of Nova
         Scotia hockey team was photographed as early as 1908.

    Scotiabank's NHL/NHLPA Partnerships
    ------------------------------------
      -  Scotiabank entered into partnership with the Edmonton Oilers in
         1998, the Calgary Flames in 2006, and the Ottawa Senators in 2006.
         In each of the team cities Scotiabank offers savings clubs for youth
         that feature hockey-themed products and prizes.
      -  Scotiabank Place (2006) Senators home arena was renamed Scotiabank
         Place, reinforcing Scotiabank's commitment to the tradition of
         hockey and Canadian communities by providing Ottawa residents and
         visitors a venue for both professional hockey and a full range of
         other entertainment options. Scotiabank has had a presence in
         Ottawa/Gatineau for over a century.
      -  Scotiabank named Official Bank of the NHL and the NHLPA in Canada
         (2007) An historic partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL)
         and the National Hockey League Players' Association, this deal
         establishes Scotiabank as official bank of the NHLPA and the NHL in
         Canada and creates opportunity for Scotiabank to bring more hockey
         to Canadian customers and communities.

    Scotiabank & CBC's Hockey Night in Canada
    ------------------------------------------
      -  Scotiabank Hockey Tonight (2007) Scotiabank in partnership with
         CBC's Hockey Night In Canada announced sponsorship of a new pre-game
         show titled Scotiabank Hockey Tonight. The new show kicks off CBC's
         55-year-old program, Hockey Night In Canada.
      -  Scotiabank Hockey Tonight Kids (2007) A key element of the
         Scotiabank Hockey Tonight pre-game show, this segment allows minor
         hockey teams across Canada an opportunity to introduce Hockey Night
         In Canada. Scotiabank created the pre-game feature to connect Hockey
         Night In Canada to kids and communities coast to coast. Teams can
         sign up online at cbcsports.ca/hockey, beginning October 4, 2007
      -  Scotiabank Power Stats (2007) Presented during CBC's Hockey Night In
         Canada, Scotiabank Power Stats will provide viewers with statistics
         and game updates in third period coverage of the broadcast.
      -  Partnership with Brian McFarlane (1971-1982) Former Montreal host of
         Hockey Night In Canada, Brian McFarlane was editor of Scotiabank's
         Hockey College News from 1971 until 1982.