San Jose Sharks' Ryane Clowe joins minor girls' hockey team in a
    Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey BanquetST. JOHN'S, NL, May 11 /CNW/ - The St. John's U15 Lady Hawkes minor girls
hockey team is celebrating the end of the 2008-2009 minor hockey season with
San Jose Sharks' Ryane Clowe, at the Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey Banquet as
part of a contest won through Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorships
Program. Clowe will toast the Hawkes and will address the team providing key
insights into their career and offering advice to the team players for the
future.
    "The memories and friendships that are created by these young hockey
players during their time in minor hockey will be with them the rest of their
lives," said Clowe. "Bonding as a team, and competing with each other towards
a common goal, not only helps in the development of solid hockey players, but
also solid individuals. I am honoured to be a part of the Scotiabank Ultimate
Hockey Banquet with the Lady Hawkes. I am sure that interacting with the team
will bring back many fond memories of my time in minor hockey."
    The Lady Hawkes 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, Ryane Clowe, Nigel Dawes, Luke Schenn, 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 Paula Shortall, Scotiabank Branch
Manager. "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 Lyle Wetsch, Coach for
the Lady Hawkes. "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
girls, 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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