HALIFAX, April 7 /CNW/ - Former NHL great Darryl Sittler spent three
hours today with the Halifax Hawks Bantam A boys hockey team as part of the
Scotiabank NHL Alumni Skills Contest - offering professional coaching and
skills training to 10 winning teams across Canada. On-ice, Sittler worked with
the youth on their defensive, offensive and puck-handling skills; while
off-ice he spent time addressing the importance of teamwork, dedication and
highlights of his journey to the NHL.
    "This is a great opportunity for young hockey hopefuls to learn about the
experiences they can have by setting goals and following their dreams," said
Sittler. "The Halifax Hawks players know that to give themselves the best
possible chance of playing to their full potential, they must prepare for
anything, which means practice, discipline and commitment. Those are lessons
they can take with them everywhere they go."
    The Hawks are one of 10 teams who won on-ice training with former NHL
stars under the Scotiabank NHL Alumni Skills Contest. Each team will have a
chance to meet and work with one member of the NHL Alumni. Participating
alumni include Trevor Linden, Lanny McDonald, Bryan Trottier, Darryl Sittler
and Yvan Cournoyer.
    "Scotiabank's hockey programs provide exciting experiences like this one
for hockey lovers in our community," said Susan Graham, Scotiabank Branch
Manager. "As Canada's hockey bank, we know that hockey is important to many of
our employees and customers who either watch or play the game or have kids
enrolled in the sport. Supporting these efforts with unique contests creates
unique experiences for everyone who loves the game."
    "This was a truly awesome experience for us when Scotiabank sponsored our
team for $1000 and then to win their contest and meet Darryl Sittler," said
Darrell Young, coaching advisor, NHL Scout and parent of a Halifax Hawks
Bantam A team member. "This is such a great opportunity for the boys. Darryl
has a great deal of hockey wisdom to share with our team and he brings with
him a sense of fair play both on and off the ice in the community. These are
qualities that we try to instill in the team and I know this will be an
experience they never forget."
    Teams qualified for the Scotiabank NHL Alumni Skills contest through the
broader Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship program where Scotiabank's
1000 Canadian retail branches were given funds to contribute to minor hockey
teams in the 2008-2009 season. In addition to funding, minor hockey teams in
the program received exclusive Scotiabank 'Official bank of the NHL' shoulder
crests featuring the NHL Shield and a skills DVD featuring Montreal Canadiens'
superstar, Alex Kovalev. Teams were also provided with complimentary skate
sharpening, and exclusive entry to experiential contests, like the NHL Alumni
Skills contest. For more information, please visit the re-designed and
re-launched ScotiaHockey website, www.scotiahockey.com.
    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

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