Celebrated Edmonton Oilers Alumni challenge Edmontonians to reach $1.4 Million fundraising goal for 2012 Scotiabank Pro-AM | March 30 - April 1

EDMONTON, Nov. 1, 2011 /CNW/ - Earlier this morning NHL Alumni Mark Napier and Mike Krushelnyski joined hockey legend Gordie Howe to announce the return of the Scotiabank Pro-Am to Edmonton. Taking place on March 30 - April 1, 2012, the event will raise funds for the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's supporting the work of the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories (ASANT) and Baycrest - a global leader in innovations in aging and brain health headquartered in Toronto - to improve the lives of others affected by the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. While in Edmonton, the hockey greats challenged the city to join them in reaching the event's 2012 fundraising goal of $1.4 million.

"This event is so important to me, and I am so excited to be returning to Edmonton in 2012," said Stanley Cup winner Mark Napier. "Alzheimer's is such an awful disease that affects many Canadians and their families. I continue to be amazed by the tremendous support and generosity that Edmontonians have given towards this cause and am definitely looking forward to reaching our goals in March."

Joining Napier at the conference was Mike Krushelnyski, another Edmonton Oiler alumni who will be participating in the 2012 Edmonton Scotiabank Pro-Am. "Participating in last year's event was a very memorable experience for me and I was thrilled when the Scotiabank Pro-Am committee members invited me back," said Krushelnyski. "Following the success of last year's event I know that the 2012 participants will be amped up and ready to raise even more money."

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 and care. Team's must raise a minimum of $25,000 and, based on total dollars raised, get to draft an NHL alumnus to play on their team.

"As a proud supporter of community hockey programs, it's critically important for us to sponsor the Scotiabank Pro-Am - an event that combines our love of hockey with research and care to assist those affected by Alzheimer's and related illnesses." said Chris Bruce, District Vice President, Edmonton.  "As Canada's Hockey Bank we know how important it is to preserve great memories. Working with the NHL Alumni, Baycrest, and the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories we're proud to put our name on this event and help raise funds to help keep memories alive."

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's, which is named in tribute to Gordie and in loving memory of his wife Colleen who passed away from Pick's disease, a form of dementia, in March 2009. The Howe Fund supports the work of the Alzheimer Society in Alberta and Northwest Territories, and care and research in Alzheimer's and related dementias at Baycrest.

Also on hand to celebrate in the return of the Scotiabank Pro-Am to Edmonton was Bill Gaudette, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. "We know that age is one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease so as Canadians get older Alzheimer's becomes more prevalent. Our goal this year is to help Edmontonians recognize the importance of early detection and how catching the disease in its early stages can greatly improve patient care."

The Scotiabank Pro-Am in Edmonton is an extension of the highly-successful Scotiabank Pro-Am Hockey Tournament, which has raised more than $16 million in its six-year history. The Scotiabank Pro-Am wishes to acknowledge the support of native Edmontonian and business leader, Greg Christenson, who is volunteering his time as Tournament Chair.

About Baycrest
Baycrest is unique in the world in combining: a comprehensive system of care for aging patients; one of the world's top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience; dedicated centres focused on mitigating the impact of age-related illness and impairment; and, unmatched global knowledge exchange and commercialization capacity. For more information about Baycrest, visit www.baycrest.org

About the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's
Gordie & Colleen Howe's contribution to hockey is legendary, earning them the title Mr. and Mrs. Hockey™.  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.

About Scotiabank
As the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHLPA®, NHL Alumni™ 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®, the Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome, and the Ottawa Senators® 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, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over the last 5 years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com