PEI plays host to marquee event for Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian hockey lovers of all ages are invited to celebrate our nation's favourite pastime on February 11, 2012, by participating in Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada on CBC.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada is a full day of hockey; featuring matchups between Canada's NHL teams, broadcast live on CBC. The festivities kick off at 12 noon EST and will showcase celebrations across the country featuring some of Canada's most well- known hockey stars.

"The love of hockey is a common thread connecting Canadians from coast to coast, whether it's playing a game of pick-up at the community rink, cheering on the local minor team or taking in an NHL game," said Anatol von Hahn, Scotiabank Group Head, Canadian Banking. "As Canada's Hockey Bank, we're excited to join the communities where we live and work in celebrating this great sport and the richness it brings to the lives of hockey fans and families everywhere."

The CBC broadcast will be hosted from Prince Edward Island by well-known CBC personalities Don Cherry and Ron MacLean, who will be joined by NHL alumni and former Olympic athletes in a series of events celebrating the game.

"Canadians are quite possibly the most devoted and passionate hockey fans in the world and we want to make this an unforgettable day for everyone attending Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada festivities in person across Canada or joining our live broadcast on CBC," said Olympic gold medalist and Scotiabank Hockey Ambassador Cassie Campbell-Pascall , who will be coaching hockey in PEI, with Lanny McDonald, Stephane Richer, Tessa Bonhomme, Mark Napier and Bryan Trottier among a marquee line up of hockey greats.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada will kick off early in the host province PEI, with events taking place in the week leading up to February 11. Events include youth skills clinics and school visits with the Stanley Cup. Additional events in PEI include Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest, where more than one hundred girls, aged 7-14 will receive on-ice skills training from none other than 2010 Winter Olympic gold medalist Tessa Bonhomme.

The Scotiabank Bigger Save contest winners, the Abbotsford Ice Atom team, a minor girls hockey team from Abbotsford, British Columbia, will lace up their skates to face-off against a PEI minor hockey team in Summerside, PEI. The team was encouraged to make a pledge to save money toward a team goal.  Throughout the 2011-2012 hockey season, the goal of the Ice was to save for a trip to Surrey, B.C. to participate in a hockey tournament.

"Canada has great young hockey talent and it's exciting to see it showcased as part of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada," said Tessa Bonhomme, who will be assisting with Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest in Summerside.  "With programs like Girls HockeyFest in PEI, or games between minor hockey teams, we're proud to help young athletes achieve their hockey dreams."

Over in Winnipeg, MB, hockey lovers will take to The Forks to meet NHL Alumni, skate on the outdoor rink and join in a Family Pond Hockey Tournament, where generations of families will test out their skills in what will be an unforgettable competition.

In Richmond, B.C., visitors will relive Olympic glory at the Richmond Olympic Oval as it hosts a day dedicated to all things hockey.  Fans will have the chance to explore the Hockey Hall of Fame's "Legends" exhibit and meet NHL Legends like former Vancouver Canuck Trevor Linden in the flesh.

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. Across Canadian communities from coast to coast, Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program reaches out to more than 3,700 minor hockey teams and leagues.To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.facebook.com/scotiahockeyclub.

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.