WINNIPEG, April 19 /CNW/ - Seven-time Stanley Cup winner and Hockey Hall
of Fame member Bryan Trottier will spend three hours later today with
Winnipeg's Glenwood Bruins Minor Peewee boys' hockey team as part of the
Scotiabank NHL Alumni Skills Contest, which is offering professional coaching
and skills training to 10 winning teams across Canada.
    On-ice, Trottier will work with the 11-year-old boys on their defensive,
offensive and puck-handling skills; while off-ice he will spend time
addressing the importance of teamwork, dedication and highlights of his
journey to the NHL. The session will get underway at 5:00 p.m. today at the
Dakota Community Centre, 1188 Dakota Street, Winnipeg.
    "This is a great opportunity for young hockey hopefuls to learn about the
experiences they can have by setting goals and following their dreams," says
Trottier. "The Glenwood Bruins 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 in life."
    The Bruins 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. In addition to
Trottier, participating alumni include Trevor Linden, Lanny McDonald, Darryl
Sittler and Yvan Cournoyer.
    "Scotiabank's hockey programs provide exciting experiences like this one
for hockey lovers in our community," says Michelle Desrosiers, Scotiabank
Branch Manager, Dakota Village Shopping Centre. "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 contest offered by Scotiabank is a great example of corporate
support of the community. We had many kids from different areas come together
as a team and enjoy this team sport. Kids, coming early and leaving late, was
a continual reminder of the success of the season," says Glenwood Bruins
Assistant Coach Mark Letwin. "It is great to see NHL Alumni, like Bryan
Trottier, support youth hockey, because this motivates both the players and
volunteers to continue in their support of this great game called HOCKEY!"
    Teams qualified for the Scotiabank NHL Alumni Skills contest through the
broader Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship program, which gave
Scotiabank's 1,000 Canadian retail branches funds to contribute to minor
hockey teams during 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 into 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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Rights Reserved.