NHL players joins minor boys' hockey team in a Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey
    BanquetST-HUBERT, QC, May 27 /CNW/ - The Jets A3 St-Hubert minor boys hockey
team is celebrating the end of the 2008-2009 minor hockey season with Montreal
Canadiens' Guillaume Latendresse and Maxim Lapierre at the Scotiabank Ultimate
Hockey Banquet as part of a contest won through Scotiabank's Community Hockey
Sponsorships Program. Latendresse and Lapierre will toast the Jets and will
address the minor team providing key insights into their careers and offering
advice to the team players for the future.
    "I have many great memories of growing up playing minor hockey here in
Quebec and celebrating with these young men at their Scotiabank Ultimate
Hockey Banquet is a privilege," said Lapierre. "As a professional hockey
player, it is a privilege for me to join the Jets and share with them some of
my experiences".
    The Jets A3 St-Hubert 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, Sheldon Souray, Nigel Dawes, Luke Schenn, Mathieu Dandenault,
Guillaume Latendresse, Maxim Lapierre, Ryane Clowe and Chis Kelly.
    "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
Marie-Claude Lemay. "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 Guy Berthiaume, Coach
for the Jets A3. "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 these players are a true inspiration for the
boys. 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 boys in celebration of their season is a great experience
for me, one that brings back great memories," added Latendresse. "As a young
player in the QMJHL, I learned the value of teamwork, camaraderie and
sportsmanship, which has helped me not only in my hockey career, but in life
as well. This is an important and exciting time for these young players as
they are learning these same values through youth hockey."
    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
and the Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey Banquet. 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.comNHLPA is a registered trademark of the National Hockey League Players'
    Association. All Rights Reserved.

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