Canada's Hockey Bank and True North Sports and Entertainment announce exciting new partnership

WINNIPEG, Oct. 5, 2011 /CNW/ - As Winnipeg gears up for the first regular season NHL game since 1996, Scotiabank and True North Sports and Entertainment today announced a new partnership making Scotiabank the Official Bank of Canada's newest NHL team.

"What better way to mark Thanksgiving weekend than to celebrate the return of the Winnipeg Jets to this great city!" said George Marlatte, Scotiabank Senior Vice President for Prairie Region. "As Canada's Hockey Bank, becoming the Official Bank of the Winnipeg Jets is a natural fit for us as we expand our hockey program that works with teams and leagues at professional and local levels in communities across Canada."

Over the course of the partnership, the Winnipeg Jets and Scotiabank will provide a range of fan initiatives and community programs, including youth skill development and women's hockey. Scotiabank will also expand the family of teams involved in the Scotia Skaters program to Winnipeg. Under this program, one young minor hockey skater from the community will have the chance to skate out with the team at every home game. For more information, or to apply, please visit www.scotiaskaters.com The Bank will also bring the Celebration of Hockey initiative to the Winnipeg area, bringing the Stanley Cup to town. Information will be posted on the Scotia Hockey Club Facebook page when details have been finalized.

"We are excited to be partnering with Scotiabank who have proven to be excellent ambassadors for the game of hockey across our nation," said Jim Ludlow, President & CEO, True North Sports & Entertainment. "Their commitment to hockey programming, particularly at the grassroots level is evident in many of their community initiatives. A grassroots connection to hockey and our fans is something True North has always held dear and will continue to do so as we move forward into the National Hockey League."

"We've built a great hockey program across the country and we look forward to bringing Winnipeg fans some new and innovative hockey programs," said Duncan Hannay, Scotiabank Senior Vice President of Canadian Marketing. "This is a great time to be a hockey fan in Winnipeg and we're thrilled to be a part of it. The fun begins this week with interactive fan experiences at The Forks."

The Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off takes place on Thursday, October 6^th from 3:00-9:00 p.m. and the Home Opener celebrations run on Sunday, October 9^th from noon - 8:00 p.m., both at The Forks.  Winnipeg fans can take in live bands on the Scotiabank Stage and have some fun with hockey interactive games and activities and Scotiabank will be there for all of the action.

• Scotiabank High Five Zone: As Canada's Hockey Bank, Scotiabank will offer fans the opportunity to 'High Five' their handprint on a special tribute board and enter into Scotiabank's national "High Five Your Way to the NHL All-Star Game" contest for a chance to win tickets to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa. Fans who visit the Scotiabank High Five Zone can also have the chance to win game tickets, an autographed NHL jersey and receive a special High Five foam hand to help celebrate the spirit from the Forks.  Additionally, musical performances will ignite the crowd live from the Scotiabank Stage.  
  
  Synthetic Ice Rink: Youth hockey players from Scotiabank and Canadian Tire sponsored teams, along with a local chapter of H.E.R.O.S. (Hockey Education Reaching Out Society), will demonstrate their skills on a synthetic rink.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is very proud to be Canada's Hockey Bank and is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHLPA®, NHL Alumni™, CWHL, Winnipeg Jets®, Toronto Maple Leafs®, Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome, and the Ottawa Senators® whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. The Bank also has a partnership with the Montreal Canadiens®. Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues.  To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.scotiahockeyclub.com.

Across Canadian communities from coast to coast, Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program reaches out to more than 3,400 minor hockey teams and leagues.  In 2011, 17 teams and 21 leagues from the Winnipeg area were sponsored by the Bank.  The teams each receive a financial bursary as well as the opportunity to participate in unique experiences such as the Guard of Honour at a Stanley Cup™ visit to a Scotiabank branch.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd
True North Sports & Entertainment Limited (TNSE) is a Winnipeg, Manitoba based company that owns and operates the MTS Centre in downtown Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.  It also owns the St. John's IceCaps, an American Hockey League team, in St. John's, Newfoundland. Aside from hockey, TNSE is very active in bringing high-profile concerts and entertainment to Winnipeg (www.mtscentre.com).

About the Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Hockey League. The franchise was formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers until their purchase by True North Sports & Entertainment in May 2011. The Winnipeg Jets will play their home games at MTS Centre in downtown Winnipeg (www.winnipegjets.com).