More than 121 minor hockey teams and leagues benefit across B.C.

VANCOUVER, Feb. 24 /CNW/ - More than 1,600 minor hockey team and leagues across Canada received Scotiabank's support during their 2009-10 season through Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, which provides financial support and experiential opportunities for boys and girls ages seven to 16. In its second year, the program goes beyond the cheque by giving all sponsored teams the opportunity to win experiences featuring NHL and NHL Alumni players and the chance to be featured on the most famous hockey show in Canada - Hockey Night in Canada's Scotiabank Hockey Tonight Kids.

"Hockey is more than a sport in Canada, it's imbedded in who we are as Canadians, it's a part of our culture and is rooted strongly at the community level," said David Poole, Scotiabank Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon Region. "As Canada's Hockey Bank, it's important for us to support community hockey programs to help offset some of the expense teams incur and to help keep our kids on the ice."

In B.C. & Yukon Region, 113 Scotiabank branches participated in the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, which provides each branch with $1,000 to sponsor one or more minor boys or girls hockey teams in their region. A total of 121 minor hockey teams and seven leagues in the B.C. and Yukon region received funding. (For a full list of participating teams, see attached backgrounder).

Along with the financial support, each team in the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program receives exclusive Scotiabank Hockey Club Team Kits which include jersey crests, player booklets, mini first aid kits from hockey retailer Pro Hockey Life, the NHL DVD, Just like me - The legends and the chance to win a number of memorable hockey experiences.

Once again this year, Scotiabank will be awarding 10 teams the chance to skate on their home ice to learn and test their on and off-ice skills with NHL Alumni. Ten teams will also have their end-of-year banquet hosted by Scotiabank with special appearances by NHL stars. Six of the sponsored teams will win the opportunity to introduce Hockey Night in Canada on CBC.

"At Scotiabank, we know that minor hockey plays a key role in instilling the values of teamwork, commitment, and discipline, and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age," added Poole. "This program is an important part of our efforts to enrich the hockey experience for kids and their families."

About Scotiabank

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 the game and believes it is fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL, NHLPA, NHL Alumni and CWHL, and has partnerships with the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. Most recently, Scotiabank and Pro Hockey Life teamed up to provide exclusive in-store and online discounts to Scotiabank customers, promote advice on equipment and enhance the grassroots community programs of both companies. For more information on Scotiabank's hockey programs visit www.scotiahockeyclub.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 2009 the Bank provided about $39 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 us at www.scotiabank.com.

For a full list of participating teams from across B.C. & Yukon Region, please see attached backgrounder.

Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program Sponsored Teams*

* NB: The names are as submitted to the program & identified
            leagues/associations represent multiple teams.

    -   More than 1,600 minor hockey team across Canada are set to receive
        Scotiabank's support in their 2009/2010 season through Scotiabank's
        Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, providing financial support and
        experiential opportunities for boys and girls ages seven to 16.

    -   The program, part of the Scotia Hockey Club umbrella, also offers
        contests featuring NHL players, NHL Alumni and discounts on hockey
        apparel from the Bank's partner, Pro Hockey Life.

    -   Teams across B.C. who received support are listed below.

    -   For more information about this program, please contact your local
        Scotiabank branch manager.


    British Columbia & Yukon

    Aldergrove Farmers - Langley, BC
    Atom 8C - Vancouver, BC
    Atom Abbotsford Ice - Abbotsford, BC
    Atom C 1 Falcons - Surrey, BC
    Atom C No. Warriors - Pitt Meadows, BC
    Atom C4 Terminators - Vancouver, BC
    Atom C6 - Vancouver, BC
    Atom Female Team C4 - Victoria, BC
    Atom House - Surrey, BC
    Bantam 3 Abbotsford Ice - Abbotsford, BC
    Bantam C1 - Abbotsford, BC
    Bantam C1 Abbotsford Ice - Abbotsford, BC
    Bantam Rep Team - Williams Lake, BC
    Bantam Tier 2 Scotiabank Jr Vees - Penticton, BC
    BMHA H4C3 Spitfires - Burnaby, BC
    Burnaby Minor Hockey Association Hockey 4 C4 - Burnaby, BC
    Burnaby Minor Peewee C-10 - Burnaby, BC
    Burnaby Stingers - Burnaby, BC
    Burnaby Wildcats - Burnaby, BC
    Burnaby Winter Club Peewee AAA - Burnaby, BC
    BWC Peewee AAA - Burnaby, BC
    Chetwynd Bantams - Chetwynd, BC
    Chilliwack Peewee C1 - Chilliwack, BC
    Chilliwack Peewee C2 - Chilliwack, BC
    Chilliwack Peewee C3 - Chilliwack, BC
    Chilliwack Peewee C4 - Chilliwack, BC
    Chilliwack Peewee C5 - Chilliwack, BC
    Chilliwack Peewee C6 - Chilliwack, BC
    Chilliwack Peewee Girls - Chilliwack, BC
    Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association Peewee A2 Colts - Cloverdale, BC
    Coquitlam Ice Rippers Atom House - Coquitlam, BC
    Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association Pee Wee - Coquitlam, BC
    Eagles Pee Wee A2 - Burnaby, BC
    Female Midget - Vancouver, BC
    Fort Nelson Minor Hockey Association - Fort Nelson, BC
    H4C4 Blazers - Vancouver, BC
    Ice Hawks Tbird Pee Wee Hockey - Vancouver, BC
    Icehawks House Team Division H2 C1 - Vancouver, BC
    JDF Atom C2 - Victoria, BC
    Juan de Fuca Bantam C2 - Victoria, BC
    Kamloops Red Bullets - Kamloops, BC
    Kelowna Minor Hockey Association - Kelowna, BC
    Kerry Park Minor Hockey Atom - Duncan, BC
    KFC Bantam Rep Canucks - Dawson Creek, BC
    Langley Lightning Bantam Girls - Langley, BC
    Lumby Stars Pee Wee House Division - Lumby, BC
    Mackenzie Bantam Knights - Mackenzie, BC
    Mackenzie Pee Wee Knights - Mackenzie, BC
    McBride Minor Hockey Atoms - McBride, BC
    Midget 1 Abbotsford Ice - Abbotsford, BC
    Midget 2 - Abbotsford, BC
    Midget AA - Vancouver, BC
    Midget House White Team - Prince George, BC
    Nanaimo Female Atom Clippers - Nanaimo, BC
    New Westminster Minor Hockey Association - New Westminster, BC
    North Shore Winter Club Minor Hockey - Vancouver, BC
    Novice Abbotsford Ice - Abbotsford, BC
    Novice Vancouver Angels - Vancouver, BC
    Oceanside Bantam B2 Kings - Parksville, BC
    Oceanside Generals Atom Selects - Parksville, BC
    Panago Peewee A Tykes - Campbell River, BC
    Pee Wee AAA - Burnaby, BC
    Peewee 1 Abbotsford Ice - Clearbrook, BC
    Peewee Abbotsford Ice - Clearbrook, BC
    Peninsula Eagles Novice 3B - Sidney, BC
    Penticton Novice Whitelions - Penticton, BC
    Penticton PeeWee Hitman - Penticton, BC
    Port Alice Tsunami - Port Alice, BC
    Port Moody Jaguars - Port Moody, BC
    Port Moody Warriors - Port Moody, BC
    Prince George Minor Hockey - Prince George, BC
    Prince George Wolf Pack - Prince George, BC
    Quesnel Thunder Atom Selects - Quesnel, BC
    Richmond Pee Wee Rep A1 - Richmond, BC
    Saanich Bantam B - Victoria, BC
    Saanich Bantam C1 Team - Victoria, BC
    Saanich Braves Peewee C3 - Victoria, BC
    Saanich Braves Peewee C4 - Victoria, BC
    Salmon Arm Bantam Rep Tier 2 - Salmon Arm, BC
    Scotia Midget Hockey - Courtenay, BC
    Scotiabank Peewee Team - Powell River, BC
    Seafair Islanders - Richmond, BC
    Seafair Islanders Bantam A2 - Richmond, BC
    Smithers Pee-Wee House Team 1 - Smithers, BC
    Smithers Pee-Wee House Team 2 - Smithers, BC
    South Delta Atom A1 Storm - Tsawwassen, BC
    South Delta Pee Wee A1 Storm - Tsawwassen, BC
    Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association - Sechelt, BC
    Surrey Falcons B1 - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Falcons B2 - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Falcons B3 - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Falcons M2 - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Falcons Midget 1 - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Female Hockey Association Peewees - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Female Hockey Midget 2 Red - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Female Hockey Novice - Surrey, BC
    Surrey Female Peewee 2 - Surrey, BC
    Taylor Tornados Atom - Fort St. John, BC
    The Scotiabank Bull Pups - Port Alberni, BC
    The Scotiabank Wild - Port Alberni, BC
    TMHA Bantam House Division - Terrace, BC
    Vancouver Angels Girls Ice Hockey - Vancouver, BC
    Vancouver Angels - Vancouver, BC
    Vancouver Angels Atom C1 - Vancouver, BC
    Vancouver Thunderbirds Atom C2 Devils - Vancouver, BC
    Vancouver Thunderbirds Lightning - Vancouver, BC
    Vancouver Thunderbirds Midget C4 - Vancouver, BC
    Vancouver Thunderbirds Peewee C1 - Vancouver, BC
    Vernon Authentic Plaque & Trophy Blazers - Vernon, BC
    Vipers PeeWee BCT 3 - Coal Harbour, BC
    Vipers PeeWee C5 - Vancouver, BC
    VRC 1999's - Victoria, BC
    Wildcats Novice Team - Burnaby, BC
    Yukon Bantam Arctic Winter Games Team - Whitehorse, YT