Proceeds benefit the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's

CALGARY, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - Gordie Howe, Lanny McDonald, Mark Napier, Jim Peplinski and Perry Berezan are among the many NHL Alumni taking part in the new Calgary Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's hockey tournament, which provides crucial funding for care and research in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's.

The event makes its debut in Calgary on March 18, 19 and 20, 2011 and is an extension of the highly successful Baycrest International Pro-Am Hockey Tournament presented by Scotiabank, originally introduced in Toronto five years ago. In 2010, the Scotiabank Pro-Am was renamed and expanded to Edmonton where 22 teams raised $1.1 million! In its five-year history, the event has raised more than $11 million for care and research in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

"In Canada there are over 500,000 people living with dementia, a number that will more than double to 1.1 million within a generation if nothing changes," said Lyn Krutzfeld, event committee member and President of the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. "The Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's tournament provides a course of action to help fund critical research necessary if we are to find a cure."

"Last year, this exciting event expanded to Edmonton, and this year we're thrilled to have brought it to Calgary," said George Marlatte, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Prairie Region. "As Canada's Hockey Bank, Scotiabank is delighted to be involved in an event that gives hockey fans a unique experience and opportunity to play the game with some of hockey's biggest stars, while raising funds for a cause that impacts so many people and their families."

The Scotiabank Pro-Am offers the ultimate three-day hockey experience for men and women, aged 30 and up. The tournament will kick off on Friday, March 18, 2011 with an unforgettable Draft Party, where each participating team of 11 to 17 players plus one coach will draft an NHL alumnus to play on their team. To play, teams must raise a minimum of $25,000 and draft position will be determined by the total dollars raised by each team. Registration is now open at www.scotiabankproam.com. Space is limited, so teams are encouraged to register early and start fundraising. The Calgary Scotiabank Pro-Am will take place at WinSport Canada on the newly constructed rinks at WinSport Canada's athletic and ice complex at Canada Olympic Park.

"Alzheimer's disease touches many of our friends and families," said Frank King, Chair of the Calgary event committee. "Bringing together some of hockey's greatest legends to support this worthy cause will be a special event you will not want to miss."

To help bring the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's to Calgary, committee chair Frank King (former CEO of the Calgary Organizing committee for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games) along with committee members Bill Gaudette, Mark Gryfe, Jim Grossett, Lyn Krutzfeldt, Mark Napier, Donna Neumann, Mike Pelyk, Colin Paterson, and Bernie Coates are encouraging the greater Calgary community to get involved and help raise critical funds for the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's.

Proceeds from the Calgary event will benefit the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's, which will provide valuable funding for care and research in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through the Alzheimer's Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, and through Baycrest, an academic health sciences centre renowned for its scientific research and clinical practice dedicated to aging and brain health. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit NHL Alumni Association(TM) community programs. The Howe Fund was launched in 2009 and is named in tribute to Gordie Howe and in loving memory of his wife Colleen who passed away from Pick's disease, a form of dementia, in March 2009. The Howe family have attached their name to the Scotiabank Pro-Am and the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's represents an important partnership between Baycrest, the Alzheimer's Society and the NHL Alumni Association.

Individuals or businesses can get in on the action and help 'Stick it to Alzheimer's' by sponsoring their favourite Scotiabank Pro-Am player or team at www.scotiabankproam.com.

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, originally established by the Baycrest Foundation. An innovative fundraising organization, the Baycrest foundation supports Baycrest, a health sciences centre affiliated with the University of Toronto. Baycrest is internationally renowned for its scientific research, clinical practice, and health care education dedicated to transforming the journey of aging. The Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's represents an important partnership between Baycrest, the Alzheimer Society, 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 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.