NHL player to join minor girls' hockey team in a Scotiabank Ultimate
    Hockey BanquetSASKATOON, May 19 /CNW/ - The Saskatoon Comet Rockers minor girls hockey
team is celebrating the end of the 2008-2009 minor hockey season with NHL
player Luke Schenn at the Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey Banquet as part of a
contest won through Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorships Program. Schenn
will toast the Comet Rockers and will address the girls team providing key
insights into his career 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."
    The Saskatoon Comet Rockers 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 Stew Wadden, Scotiabank Branch
Manager at Westgate Plaza. "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 Jackie Olynek, Team
Manager for the Comet Rockers. "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. Luke Schenn is an inspirational
athlete 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."
    "Joining the girls back in my hometown, in celebration of their season is
a great experience for me," added Schenn. "It reminds me of my childhood
experiences and reinforces the commitments we make as professional hockey
players to achieve the goals we set out for ourselves. "
    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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