Edmontonians treated to special All-Star exhibition game

ST. ALBERT, AB, April 11 /CNW/ - The 15 top individual fundraisers at the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's got the chance of a lifetime on Saturday night when they played with and against 20 former NHL stars. It was 'Team Coffey' vs. 'Team McDonald' as Paul Coffey and Lanny McDonald - selected one and two respectively by the event's top two fundraising teams at the tournament's draft event - headed squads consisting of a mix of top individual fundraisers and participating NHL alumni.

St. Albert Mayor Nolan Crouse joined event co-chairs Greg Christenson and David Cynamon for a ceremonial puck drop to kick off the All-Star game, which was open to the public to thank them for their incredible support.

The score didn't matter (for the record, it was 7-6 for Team McDonald); it was all about the experience and celebrating the $1 million raised for the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's at the inaugural Edmonton event.

"I was trying for a shut out," said Blair Holgate, goalie for the Scotiabank Alzheimer's Avengers, who lost his father to the disease two years ago. "No matter what happened, I knew my dad would be very proud of my involvement. And for me, playing with some of my hockey heroes is icing on the cake."

"For us players, it's easy to help out. We're happy to come and play. It's the fundraisers and volunteers who really make this happen," said Paul Coffey. "It's a great charity and raises a ton of money. My mother passed away of complications of dementia. As you get older, it really makes you realize how many people are touched by this disease."

Through the Howe Fund, proceeds from the Edmonton event will fund research in Alzheimer's and related disorders at Baycrest and in Alberta, including research at the University of Alberta through the Alzheimer Society of Alberta & Northwest Territories.

The event wraps up on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. with the final Championship Game pitting the top two fundraising teams - the Acme Scrappers and Wendell Sr.'s Weekend Warriors - playing with the NHL alumni.

Scrappers captain and top individual fundraiser Michael Schayer is anticipating the game: "It will be the perfect end to an amazing weekend. It's a cause close to me. My grandmother has Alzheimer's and for the past 10 years hasn't been able to recognize her family. I knew the tournament was something I could really support and my family, friends and customers were incredibly generous in helping me raise $51,000."

The championship game is open to the public free of charge on a 'first come, first served' basis. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

About the Event

The Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's is an innovative fundraiser that offers amateur hockey players the chance to play with and against a host of NHL alumni while raising critical funds for Alzheimer's research. Teams must raise a minimum of $25,000 and, based on total dollars raised, get to draft an NHL alumnus to play on their team.

The Edmonton Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's is an extension of the highly-successful Scotiabank Pro-Am Hockey Tournament - formerly known as the Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament presented by Scotiabank - which has raised more than $7.5 million in its four-year history. The Scotiabank Pro-Am wishes to acknowledge the support of native Edmontonians and business leaders, Greg Christenson, co-owner of the Christenson Group of Companies(TM), and David Cynamon, Executive Chairman, K2 Pure Solutions(TM), who are volunteering their time as Tournament Co-Chairs.

About Baycrest

Baycrest is an academic health sciences centre, internationally renowned for its care of aging adults and its excellence in aging brain research, clinical interventions and treatments, and promising cognitive rehabilitation strategies. For more information about Baycrest, go to www.baycrest.org

About the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's

Gordie and Colleen Howe's contribution to hockey is legendary, earning them the title Mr. and Mrs. Hockey(TM). When Colleen lost her battle with dementia in March of 2009, Gordie lost a wife, his children lost a mother and the world of hockey lost a champion. It was a battle that inspired the Howe family to improve the lives of others affected by the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. In pursuit of this mission, they have attached their name to the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's. The Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's now represents an important partnership between Baycrest, the Alzheimer Society - Alberta & Northwest Territories, and the NHL Alumni Association(TM) in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

About Scotiabank

As the Official Bank of the NHL(R), NHLPA(R), NHL Alumni(TM) and the CWHL, Scotiabank is 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 that this great game helps young people learn about teamwork, camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank also has partnerships with the Calgary Flames(R) and the Ottawa Senators(R) whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. 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.

Drafted NHL Alumni (in alphabetical order)

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    Glenn Anderson                       Mike Krushelnyski
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    Brian Benning                        Norm Lacombe
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    Perry Berezan                        Dave Lumley
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    Rob Brown                            Lanny McDonald
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    Wendel Clark                         Marty McSorley
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    Paul Coffey                          Mark Napier
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    Nathan Dempsey                       Kraig Nienhuis
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    Dave Hunter                          Chris Nilan
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    Chris Joseph                         Brian Skrudland
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    Game Schedule - Sunday, April 11, 2010*
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    * Includes last name of NHL alumnus playing on each team

    Time          Teams                                      Arena

    9:00 a.m.     Quantum Speed (Nienhuis) vs.               Scotia iTrade(R)
                  Serenity Funeral Service Bulldogs
                  (Joseph)
    9:30 a.m.     Solutions Stallions (Skrudland) vs.        Troy Murray
                  The Lights (Napier)
                  Avanzar Aeros (Brown) vs. Seagate          Mark Messier
                  (Benning)
    10:00 a.m.    Scotiabank Alzheimer's Avengers            Scotia iTrade(R)
                  (Anderson)
                  Canada ICI (Clark)
    10:30 a.m.    Canadian Direct Crusaders (Hunter) vs.     Troy Murray
                  Popeyes (Berezan)
                  Team 1260 (Lacombe) vs. Acme Scrappers     Mark Messier
                  (Coffey)
    11:00 a.m.    Pals Puck Hogs (McSorley) vs.              Scotia iTrade(R)
                  MLA All Stars (Nilan)
    11:30 a.m.    PCL Construction (Lumley) vs.              Troy Murray
                  All Weather Windows (Dempsey)
                  Team Cynamon (Krushelnyski) vs.            Mark Messier
                  Wendell Sr.'s Wknd Warriors (McDonald)

    1:00 p.m.     Championship Game - Acme Scrappers &       Scotia iTrade(R)
                  Wendell Sr.'s Weekend Warriors face off
                  against NHL Alumni

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