Three-year agreement includes New to the Game Development Grant to attract new players

TORONTO, Oct. 13 /CNW/ - Scotiabank's involvement in hockey got bigger and better with the addition of their newest partner, the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). Today, Scotiabank and the GTHL announced a partnership, making Scotiabank the Official Bank of the GTHL and bringing new programs and benefits for leaugue teams throughout the next three years.

"Scotiabank's commitment to supporting minor hockey in Toronto is exciting for us," said GTHL President John Gardner. "Through this partnership, we are looking forward to working with Scotiabank on developing new opportunities and unique experiences for our teams and players, and to meeting the needs of our members and their communities."

"We are very excited to add the Greater Toronto Hockey League to our roster of more than 1,900 minor hockey teams we sponsor across Canada," said Duncan Hannay, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Marketing. "As Canada's Hockey Bank, we know that minor hockey plays a key role in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age as well as instills the values of teamwork, commitment and discipline. Partnering with the Greater Toronto Hockey League is one more way for us to help enrich the hockey experience for kids and their families."

The new partnership reaches many areas of the GTHL's marketing platform and includes:

-  Title sponsorship of the Scotiabank Top Prospects Game: An annual
         event in which the top 42 Minor Midget players in the GTHL exhibit
         their hockey skills for parents, fans, teammates, and scouts. This
         year the event will take place on December 14th at Herbert Carnegie
         Centennial Arena in Toronto;
      -  Title sponsorship of the Scotiabank GTHL Playoff Championships: The
         coveted championship title for which every team in the GTHL's
         competitive loop will compete for at the end of each season;
      -  Title sponsorhip of the Scotiabank GTHL Breakout Express: The
         monthly email newsletter delivering the latest news and events to
         GTHL members; and
      -  The Scotiabank New to the Game Development Grant: For the first
         time, a grant of $25,000 each season will be made available to all
         GTHL Association who demonstrate a program plan targeted at
         attracting new participants to the game of hockey, and who require
         funding to run it. Scotiabank and the GTHL will collectively choose
         the most viable program(s) from the pool of submissions and
         distribute the necessary funds totaling $25,000.

About the GTHL

Founded in 1911, the Greater Toronto Hockey League is a non-profit organization and is the largest amateur minor hockey league in the World. There are over 40,000 participants registered annually in the GTHL. GTHL jurisdiction spans Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Vaughan, and Markham and includes players ranging from the ages of 4-20.

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 it is fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork, camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank's partnership with Pro Hockey Life provides exclusive in-store and online discounts to the Bank's customers, promotes advice on equipment and enhances the grassroots community programs of both companies. Scotiabank also has partnerships with the Montreal Canadiens(R), the Calgary Flames(R) whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome, 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