Royal Canadian Mint puts a shine on Montreal Canadiens Centennial Plaza opening

    MONTREAL, Dec. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Today the Royal Canadian Mint joined the
Montreal Canadiens hockey club at the unveiling of the Centennial Plaza at the
Bell Centre in Montreal. Four special gold coins to be permanently displayed
at the foot of monuments honouring team legends Howie Morenz, Maurice Richard,
Jean Béliveau and Guy Lafleur were also unveiled. These exclusive coins,
engraved with the centennial logo of the Montreal Canadiens, are prominently
featured on the memorial plaques of monuments dedicated to four of the most
celebrated hockey players to have worn the colours of the Canadiens. The
commemorative plaque on each monument also has two embedded original five-cent
circulation coins of the years marking the career of each of the players. Mint
and Montreal Canadiens officials, Jean Béliveau, Guy Lafleur, Henri Richard,
and members of the Morenz family were on hand to witness this historic
unveiling.
    "The mystique of the Montreal Canadiens is born of the legendary exploits
of four hockey heroes and their many team mates, whose success on ice has
helped define Canadian hockey and Canadian identity. The Royal Canadian Mint
shares the pride of Canadian hockey fans from coast to coast in honouring the
Montreal Canadiens' century of golden hockey moments," said Ian E. Bennett,
President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
    "The presence of the Montreal Canadiens centennial emblem on gold coins
crafted by the Royal Canadian Mint is a wonderful gift to our organization and
to Montreal Canadiens fans across Canada. We are proud to place these
miniature masterpieces on permanent display at the foot of the monuments to
four of the greatest players to have ever worn a Canadiens jersey," said
Montreal Canadiens President Pierre Boivin.
    Throughout the Centennial year, the Mint will offer coins and gifts
available to all Canadians. Available now are collectibles and gift ideas from
the Mint's annual line-up of NHL(C) collector products, including Montreal
Canadiens commemorative coin sets, hockey coin pucks, mini-stick and mini-puck
sets featuring special-edition one dollar coins, and sterling silver goalie
mask coins. These products can be found at locations such as the Mint's online
store at www.mint.ca, the Mint's boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as
coin dealers and participating Canada Post outlets across Canada.

    About the Royal Canadian Mint

    The Royal Canadian Mint, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in
2008, is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of
Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is recognized as one of the largest and
most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high
quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.
    For more information on the Mint's history, its products and services,
please visit www.mint.ca./NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release will be
    available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at
    http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available
    on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are
    free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Alexandre Reeves, Manager, Communications,
[phone], Mobile: [phone], [e-mail]; Donald Beauchamp,
Vice-President, Communications, Canadiens de Montréal, [phone],
[e-mail]