Senators' Chris Kelly to celebrate Rockland's Nats Peewee Scotiabank
    Ultimate Hockey BanquetROCKLAND, ON, April 21 /CNW/ - The Rockland Nats Peewee B-2 minor boys
hockey team is celebrating the end of the 2008-2009 minor hockey season with
Ottawa Senators' Forward, Chris Kelly, at the Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey
Banquet as part of a contest won through Scotiabank's Community Hockey
Sponsorships Program. Kelly will toast the Nats and will address the team
providing key insights into their career and offering advice to the team
players for the future.
    "Moments of celebration with the team you are part of stays with you as
you embark on any path you take," said Kelly. "Being able to celebrate the end
of the season with the Nats is a great opportunity for the young hockey
hopefuls to learn about the experiences they can enjoy by setting goals and
following their dreams. Through Scotiabank's relationship with hockey in our
communities, minor hockey teams are able to learn about teamwork, camaraderie
and the spirit of competition."
    The Rockland Nats are one of 10 teams who won the Scotiabank Ultimate
Hockey Banquet Contest, scoring a celebratory banquet for 150 guests paid for
by Scotiabank with an NHL player as the guest of honour. Participating NHL
players include Chris Kelly, Nigel Dawes, Luke Shenn, and Sheldon Souray.
    "Hockey is more than a sport in Canada. It's part of our culture and no
more so than at the community level," said Scotiabank Branch Manager,
Dominique Ollive. "Scotiabank recognizes that paying for equipment, ice time
and tournaments are expensive for players and their parents. Through our
community hockey programs we have been able to step in and help out where we
can. Supporting these efforts with unique contests creates exceptional
experiences for everyone who loves the game."
    "The kids and their families are thrilled!" said Eric Massie, Coach for
the Rockland Nats. "We were very pleased when Scotiabank helped sponsor our
team earlier this year, and to have won this prize and learn about a
professional hockey career is fantastic. This is a great learning opportunity
for the kids, and a wonderful way to celebrate the hard work and dedication
they gave during their hockey season."
    Teams qualified for the Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey Banquet 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. The teams are entitled to a Q&A
period, photograph and autograph session with the NHL player. Each team member
also receives an exclusive NHL Prize Pack.
    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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