11A1 Lord Selkirk Steelers hockey team receives surprise of a lifetime when Stanley Cup® visits practice

WINNIPEG, Dec. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Winnipeg and the 11A1 Lord Selkirk Steelers received an unforgettable surprise today when the iconic Stanley Cup® was brought into the team dressing room just before their practice began at East Selkirk Arena.

"The Stanley Cup has the power to unite people - players and fans alike - and to make them feel part of something bigger. Tonight, here with the Lord Selkirk Steelers, we are all part of the hockey nation," said Gerry Brennenstuhl, Branch Manager, Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is proud to bring the thrill of a Stanley Cup win a little bit closer to Lord Selkirk Steelers team today. Our Scotiabank Stanley Cup® Surprise and Delight campaign - in support of youth hockey - aims to ignite local hockey pride and promote the spirit and culture of our nation's game in communities across Canada."

The Lord Selkirk Steelers is part of the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, which sees a $1000 grant given to each branch across the country to sponsor a local minor hockey team. The program supports more than 3,700 minor hockey teams in communities across Canada through the Scotiabank Bright Future philanthropic program.

Suited up in their hockey gear, players smiled with pride and excitement as they posed for shots with the iconic Stanley Cup® throughout the practice, while friends and family were invited to jump in on the action. The team was treated to a special photo session and after-party where the official Hockey Hall of Fame Cup-Keeper answered their questions and gave them a chance to get up-close and personal with the Cup.

"The kids had absolutely no idea this was happening and it was heartwarming to see their faces light up," said Todd Cook, Head Coach for the Steelers. "I'm thrilled Scotiabank provided our team with the opportunity to be part of such an inspirational initiative, and I'm sure every player will remember the moment for the rest of their lives."

In addition to bringing a piece of the Hockey Hall of Fame to the local East Selkirk Arena Scotiabank presented the Lord Selkirk Steelers with a $500 donation to demonstrate its commitment to community hockey and the meaningful place it has in the hearts of Canadians.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni™, CWHL, Winnipeg Jets^TM, 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 $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About The Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is the most famous and revered trophy in all of sports.  Originally crafted in Sheffield, England in the late 1880's, the Stanley Cup was first presented in 1893. The Cup became the symbol of professional hockey in North America in 1910 and, beginning in 1926, is competed for solely by teams in the National Hockey League (NHL).  In 1927, the silver bands were added to the bottom of the bowl, where names of winning players, coaches, management and club staff have been engraved ever since.  Today, The Cup weighs approximately 35 pounds, stands three feet tall and is made of silver and nickel alloy. There is only one Stanley Cup, authenticated by the seal of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the bottom of the Cup and visible when players from the winning team lift the Cup over their heads.  Supervised by a 24-hour bodyguard known as 'Keeper of the Cup', the Stanley Cup travels close to 300 days per year and has raised nearly $8 million to date for charity. When not traveling, The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada serves as the home of the Stanley Cup.

B-roll and photographs from the event are available - please contact Shelley Thomas at Shelley.Thomas@narrative.ca for FTP information.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League.  All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations