Scotiabank is now the Official Bank of the Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, Sept. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CS&E) is proud to announce a new partnership with Scotiabank, the Official Bank of the Vancouver Canucks. The partnership will focus on programs aimed at supporting fans, community initiatives and grassroots hockey.

"Scotiabank is an important partner of the Canucks," said Victor de Bonis, Chief Operating Officer, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Alternate Governor, NHL. "Scotiabank delivers exceptional fan experiences with their NHL partners, which we strongly believe in providing to our fans. Together the Canucks and Scotiabank will support grassroots hockey in the communities we serve and connect with fans in new and exciting ways."

The Vancouver Canucks and Scotiabank formally announced their partnership today at a press conference attended by Canucks alumnus and current Sr. Advisor to the General Manager Stan Smyl, Canucks COO Victor de Bonis and Scotiabank Senior Vice President BC Region, Dave Poole at Rogers Arena.

"Scotiabank is excited to partner with the Vancouver Canucks and we are thrilled to add the Canucks to our roster of teams and leagues that we sponsor across Canada," said Dave Poole, Scotiabank's Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon Region. "Scotiabankers are passionate about hockey at all levels, from community hockey to the NHL.   We believe the heart of our hockey sponsorship lives in the community, and we are proud to expand our hockey program, and our passion for the game to Vancouver."

To celebrate the new partnership, Scotiabank will present the Canucks Open Scrimmage September 13-15, 2013, a free, fan event featuring live scrimmages with current players and top prospects hoping to make the team.  In addition to the scrimmage games, on Saturday September 14^th, fans can also look forward to interactive hockey features, Canuck alumni autograph signings and 'hot stove' style question and answer sessions.  For more information and free tickets please visit www.canucks.com/scrimmages.

"Whether you're lacing up to play on the ice or watching from the bleachers, players and their families grow with and through the sport of hockey - it's a sport that unites us with our community and it holds a meaningful place in the lives of Canadians and Scotiabankers," said Duncan Hannay, Scotiabank's Senior Vice President, Canadian Marketing. We look forward to what we can accomplish with the Vancouver Canucks."

Over the course of the partnership, Scotiabank and the Vancouver Canucks will provide a range of initiatives and programs including a community hockey in-game feature, where local Scotiabank sponsored teams who have made a positive impact on their community will be recognized during Canucks home games; Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest, a free hockey festival for girls aged 7-14 where they have a chance to improve their on-ice and off-ice life skills by learning from elite and CWHL women athletes; and by supporting the Canucks for Kids Fund.

Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni™, CWHL, Vancouver Canucks®., Winnipeg Jets^TM, Toronto Maple Leafs®, Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome. 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 4,500 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 $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

SOURCE Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations; Scotiabank

Image with caption: "Scotiabank's David Poole exchanges jerseys with Stan Smyl (right) and Victor de Bonis (2nd-left) and team mascot Fin of the Vancouver Canucks as Scotiabank is named the Official Bank of the Vancouver Canucks, during a press conference September 13, 2013 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130913_C6937_PHOTO_EN_30812.jpg