NHL's Andrew Ference joins minor boys' hockey team in a Scotiabank
    Ultimate Hockey BanquetLUMBY, BC, June 2 /CNW/ - The Lumby Stars Pee Wee Rep minor boys hockey
team is celebrating the end of the 2008-2009 minor hockey season with Boston
Bruins' Andrew Ference at the Scotiabank Ultimate Hockey Banquet as part of a
contest won through Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorships Program.
Ference will toast the Stars and will address the boys' team providing key
insights into his career and offering advice to the team players for the
future.
    "The Lumby Stars should be proud of their accomplishments and the journey
they have been through as a team this year," said Ference. "The memories these
young hockey players have enjoyed with their friends and teammates will always
be cherished. Working together as a team and showing good sportsmanship
through the wins and losses are such important parts of developing both on and
off the ice."
    The Lumby Stars 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, Mathieu Dandenault, Guillaume
Latendresse, Maxim Lapierre, Andrew Ference, Alex Burrows, 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 Tina
Lariviere. "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 Mary Thurber, Director
for the Lumby Stars Pee Wee Rep team. "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 banquet is a real
reward for our championship hockey season, for both the kids and the parents.
Andrew Ference is an inspirational athlete for the boys. This is a great
learning opportunity for the players, 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
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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