NHL and CWHL players to join minor girls' hockey team in a Scotiabank
    Ultimate Hockey BanquetTORONTO, May 12 /CNW/ - The North York Storm Bantam BB minor girls hockey
team is celebrating the end of the 2008-2009 minor hockey season with NHL
player Luke Schenn and CWHL player and former Olympian Lori Dupuis at the
Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey Banquet as part of a contest won through
Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorships Program. Schenn and Dupuis will
toast the Storm Bantam BB's and will address the girls team providing key
insights into their careers and offering advice to the team players for the
future.
    "Tonight's team celebration demonstrates the successes that you can
achieve through the hard work, dedication and determination you've applied to
this year's season," said Schenn. "No matter what team sport you play -
whether men's or women's hockey, you're all cheering for each other to
succeed. The Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey Banquet is another way to celebrate
your team's camaraderie at the end of this season."
    "Joining the girls in celebration of their season is a great experience
for any professional hockey player," said Dupuis. "It reminds us of our
childhood experiences and reinforces the commitments we made to achieve the
goals we set out for ourselves."
    The North York Storm Bantam BB's 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 and CWHL player as the
guest or guests of honour. Participating NHL players include Chris Kelly,
Nigel Dawes, Sheldon Souray, Ryane Clowe and Luke Schenn.
    "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 Joseph
Bianca. "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 Mark Litva, Coach for
the Bantam BB's. "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. Both Luke Schenn and Lori Dupuis are inspirational
athletes for the girls. This is a great learning opportunity for the team, 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 received 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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