Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest gives girls a better shot

Scotiabank and the Toronto Maple Leafs team up to provide a free hockey clinic for young girls

TORONTO, April 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Scotiabank, more than 300 young female hockey players are lacing up to learn from hockey all stars this Sunday. The young hockey hopefuls will get a one-of-a-kind experience at Air Canada Centre, when players from the novice, atom, peewee and bantam levels will take part in Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest - a free one-day training program aimed at providing young females more opportunities and support in the ice hockey community.

"We are looking forward giving young future hockey stars the opportunity to have an unforgettable day with some hockey greats, including Tessa Bonhomme and Sami Jo Small." said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Toronto Region. "With our partners at the Toronto Maple Leafs, we're excited to bring Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest back to Toronto again this year. This successful event continues to grow, with more participants taking part in cities across Canada and we are proud to once again give young athletes the chance to come together as a community and learn valuable skills from strong role models."

Attendees will have the chance to participate in on-ice skill development and off-ice training sessions at the Air Canada Centre, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The young athletes will also receive a tour of the Leafs' dressing room, prize giveaways and the opportunity to speak to female Canadian hockey role models Olympic Gold Medalists Tessa Bonhomme and Sami Jo Small.

"The Leafs and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment have long been committed to enriching and supporting the lives and goals of young athletes through events like today's Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest," said Maple Leafs Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Dave Poulin. "It's great to have a partner like Scotiabank that is similarly committed to the community and hockey to help make events like this a reality."

For more information regarding the event please visit scotiabankgirlshockeyfest.com

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, 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 4,500 minor hockey teams. 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, Scotiabank 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.

About Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
MLSE, one of the world's premier sports and entertainment companies, owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Toronto FC (MLS), Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Square and three digital channels - Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GOLTV Canada and has a partnership with Live Nation - the biggest concert promoter in the world. MLSE has also invested in five of Toronto's sports facilities - Ricoh Coliseum, home of the Marlies, BMO Field, home of Toronto FC, Lamport Stadium, KIA Training Grounds at Downsview Park, home of Toronto FC's Academy and the First Team's practice facility, and the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the practice facility for the Maple Leafs and Marlies. MLSE operates and manages events at Ricoh Coliseum and BMO Field. www.mlse.com @MLSEPR

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

For further information:

Media Contacts:
Jamie Deans, MLSE, (416) 815-5445
Abby Albino, MLSE, (416) 815-5455
Sheena Findley, Scotiabank, (416) 866-6806