TORONTO, April 21 /CNW/ - Gordie Howe, Rick Vaive, Lanny McDonald, Wendel
Clark, Paul Coffey, Doug Gilmour, Dale Hawerchuk, Borje Salming, Darryl
Sittler, Vicky Sunohara, Jayna Hefford and Lori Dupuis are among the NHL
alumni and women's Olympic hockey heroes taking part in the 4th annual
Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament, presented by Scotiabank,
which will provide crucial funding for care and research in Alzheimer's and
related disorders at Baycrest, a world-renowned academic health sciences
centre.
    The Baycrest Pro-Am Hockey Tournament is 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 a downtown Toronto nightclub. Each team drafts an
NHL alumnus to play on their team throughout the tournament. Draft positions
are determined by the total dollars each team raises. 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.
    A portion of this year's proceeds will back the newly launched Gordie and
Colleen Howe Fund for Dementia Research. Named in loving memory of Gordie's
beloved wife, Colleen, who passed away from Pick's disease in March, the fund
will support patient outreach programs and clinical drug trials at Baycrest.
    "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 Frontotemporal
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 experience while enjoying a game with some of hockey's biggest
stars, and at the same time raise funds for an important cause."
    Individuals or businesses can support the Baycrest Pro-Am and research
and care in Alzheimer's and related disorders by sponsoring their favourite
former NHLer, Baycrest Pro-Am player or team at www.baycrestproam.com.
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 at www.baycrest.org/mrhockey.

    About Baycrest

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

    About the Baycrest Foundation

    With the generous support of individuals, families, businesses, and
foundations, the Baycrest Foundation provides Baycrest with the financial
resources it needs to support excellence in care, education and research
related to the aging brain. For more information on the Baycrest Foundation,
visit www.baycrest.org/foundation.

    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