at 4th Annual Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament
          April 24 & 25, 2009 at Canlan Ice Sports, York UniversityTORONTO, April 1 /CNW/ - After losing his beloved wife, Colleen, recently
to a rare form of dementia known as Pick's disease, Gordie Howe is throwing
his weight behind the Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament,
presented by Scotiabank. A portion of the tournament proceeds will back the
newly launched Gordie and Colleen Howe Fund for Dementia Research, supporting
patient outreach programs and clinical drug trials at Baycrest.
    "I know firsthand how hard it is to lose a loved one to a disease like
this," says Mr. Howe. "My family and I fully support Baycrest and the work
they're doing to treat and someday even prevent this terrible illness."
    "The Gordie and Colleen Howe Fund for Dementia Research will build on
Baycrest's strengths by bolstering our clinical and research teams
specializing in dementias such as Pick's disease, a form of Frontotemperal
Dementia that strikes people in mid-life. These patients are often still
working and raising their children," says Dr. Tiffany Chow, a neurologist and
scientist at Baycrest's Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic. "It is thanks to the
extraordinary vision and determination of the Howe family that now even more
patients and families living with dementia can benefit from the Baycrest
Pro-Am Hockey Tournament."
    "Scotiabank is pleased to again support the Baycrest International Pro-Am
Hockey Tournament through its presenting sponsorship of this exciting event,"
says Chris Hodgson, Scotiabank Group Head, Canadian Banking. "As Canada's
Hockey Bank, we welcome the opportunity to be involved in an event that gives
people a unique opportunity to enjoy the game with some of hockey's biggest
stars, and at the same time raise funds for an important cause. To that end,
we are also very proud to announce a $10,000 donation to the Gordie and
Colleen Howe Fund for Dementia Research."
    Mr. Howe will join a who's who of NHL alumni including Wendel Clark, Paul
Coffey, Doug Gilmour, Lanny McDonald, and Dale Hawerchuk in the 4th annual
Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament, the largest fundraiser of its
kind in Canada and the ultimate three-day hockey experience for men and women,
aged 25 and up. The tournament kicks off on Thursday, April 23, 2009 with an
unforgettable Draft Party at Muzik Nightclub in Toronto. Each team will draft
an NHL alumnus to play on their team throughout the tournament. Draft
positions are determined by the total dollars teams raise. Last year, Wendel
Clark went first to Team K.A.O.S., which raised over $120,000 in sponsorships.
    The tournament takes place April 24th and 25th at Canlan Ice Sports,
located on the York University campus in Toronto. To play, teams of 12 to 17
participants raise a minimum of $25,000 each in sponsorships. Last year, 50
teams raised a total of $2.5 million.
    Individuals or businesses can support the Baycrest Pro-Am and research
and care into Alzheimer's and other dementias by sponsoring their favourite
NHL alumnus, Baycrest Pro-Am player or team. Sponsors who make contributions
of $100 or more are entitled to complimentary entrance passes. Donations can
also be made to the Gordie and Colleen Howe Fund for Dementia Research.

    About Baycrest

    Baycrest is one of the world's top memory and aging academic health
science centres committed to transforming the way people age. To find out
more, visit www.baycrest.org

    About Scotiabank

    As the Official Bank of the NHL, NHLPA, NHL Alumni and the CWHL, we are
very proud to be Canada's Hockey Bank. 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 hockey and believes it is
fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork, camaraderie and the
spirit of competition. Scotiabank also has partnerships with the Calgary
Flames and the Ottawa Senators whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. For more
information on Scotiabank's hockey programs, visit www.scotiahockey.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 2008 the Bank provided about $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 Scotiabank
at www.scotiabank.com
    For event details or to sponsor your favourite player or team, visit
www.baycrestproam.com/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/