Nigel Dawes to celebrate Winnipeg's Dakota Bantam Lazers Scotiabank
    Ultimate Hockey BanquetWINNIPEG, April 22 /CNW/ - The Dakota Bantam Lazers are celebrating the
end of the 2008-2009 minor hockey season with Nigel Dawes at the Scotiabank
Ultimate Hockey Banquet as part of a contest won through Scotiabank's
Community Hockey Sponsorships Program. Dawes will toast the Dakota Lazers 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 Dawes. "Being able to celebrate the end
of the season with the Dakota Lazers 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 Dakota Lazers 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 Jason Floyde, Scotiabank Branch
Manager, Dakota and Warde branch. "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 Jay Allard, Coach for
the Dakota Lazers. "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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