CALGARY, Oct. 2 /CNW/ - Scotiabank - Canada's Official Bank of the
National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players'
Association (NHLPA) - today announced a three-year agreement that will bring
Calgary Flames Captain Jarome Iginla to Scotiabank as Special Advisor on
Hockey.
    "Jarome Iginla is a Canadian hockey icon and success story," said John
Doig, Senior Vice-President, Marketing for Scotiabank. "We are extremely happy
to have Jarome join our team to reinforce our hockey partnerships and our
commitment to bring more hockey to more people across Canada."
    Mr. Iginla's storied rise through the league's ranks includes many
accolades, including the Art Ross Trophy, awarded annually to NHL scoring
leaders. For two decades - from 1980 to 2001 - only three players won the Art
Ross Trophy - Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. That streak ended
with Mr. Iginla claiming the trophy in 2002. Since its inception in 1948, the
Art Ross Trophy was awarded 59 times to 22 players.
    "I am excited to partner with Scotiabank as the Bank continues to
distinguish itself through grassroots involvement in hockey programs across
the country," said Mr. Iginla. "I greatly appreciate Scotiabank's interest in
a sport that has had such a significant influence in my life, and I support
Scotiabank's efforts to find new ways to involve Canadians in the game."
    The Calgary Flames star joins a 2008-2009 Scotiabank roster that includes
two-time gold medal Olympian Cassie Campbell, another Scotiabank Special
Advisor on Hockey.
    In one of his first duties as Special Advisor on Hockey, Mr. Iginla
supported Scotiabank's launch of the ScotiaHockey(TM) Visa(*) card and
ScotiaHockey Rewards(TM) program in a special event at the Pengrowth
Saddledome in Calgary today. The new ScotiaHockey Visa card features two card
designs to choose from and exclusive access to the ScotiaHockey Rewards
program.
    Mr. Iginla will also participate in a 30-second English-language
television commercial that not only focuses on the unique NHL hockey
experiences associated with the ScotiaHockey Visa card, but also Mr. Iginla's
Art Ross success. The ad also features Hockey Hall of Famer and former Toronto
Maple Leafs centre man Darryl Sitter. A French-language ad will feature
Montreal Canadiens defensemen Francis Bouillon and former Canadiens right
winger Yvan Cournoyer.
    The advertisement will be broadcast on the Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation's Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts from October 4, 2008 to
November 23, 2008. The commercial will also air on The Sports Network (TSN),
Rogers Sportsnet in Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary, as well as Réseau des sports
(RDS), in Quebec.
    Scotiabank's hockey roster is also featured on ScotiaHockey.com, an
online community where minor hockey families and fans can connect. Ms.
Campbell will have a blog on ScotiaHockey.com where she will regularly engage
visitors by answering their sports questions and providing tips and anecdotes
for hockey enthusiasts. Mr. Iginla will guest blog three times during the
coming NHL season.
    Since establishing himself as an NHL great, Mr. Iginla has also become a
corporate and charitable relations leader. In 2004, he was awarded the NHL
Foundation Award for Community Service, as well as the King Clancy Memorial
Trophy in recognition of his humanitarian contributions. He also helps out
children who are less fortunate by providing them with toys and clothes.
    Scotiabank has partnerships with the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators,
whose home ice is Scotiabank Place. In 2007, Scotiabank became the Official
Bank of the NHL and the NHLPA, and sponsored Scotiabank Hockey Tonight Kids
and Scotiabank Hockey Tonight, both part of the Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. Through these partnerships the
Bank supports a wide range of initiatives in communities across the country.
    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 2007 the Bank provided more than $43 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.

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