Media Advisory - Governor General to Attend Groundbreaking of the Lord Stanley's Gift Monument

OTTAWA, March 16, 2017 /CNW/ - As patron of the Lord Stanley's Gift Monument, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will attend the monument's groundbreaking ceremony at the corner of Elgin and Sparks streets, in Ottawa, on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. The ceremony will take place exactly 125 years after Governor General Lord Stanley announced the gift of the Stanley Cup on March 18, 1892.

On this occasion, the Governor General will deliver remarks on the importance of recognizing Lord Stanley's legacy to Canadians, and will participate in the groundbreaking of the Lord Stanley's Gift Monument.

The monument will be donated to the City of Ottawa and unveiled in December 2017 as part of the 150^th anniversary of Confederation, the 125^th anniversary of the Stanley Cup, the 100^th anniversary of the National Hockey League, and the 25^th anniversary of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club.

About the Lord Stanley Memorial Monument Inc. (LSMMI)
LSMMI is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization established by a group of private citizens with the objective of creating a monument to celebrate Lord Stanley's gift to the sport of ice hockey: the Stanley Cup. For more information, visit http://lordstanleysgift.com.

About the Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup, notably the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in North America, was donated in 1892 by Lord Stanley of Preston, who was appointed as Canada's 6^th governor general by Queen Victoria in 1888. He purchased the trophy for 10 guineas - the equivalent of $50 Canadian at that time - to be presented to the championship hockey club of the Dominion of Canada. The first team ever awarded the Cup was the Montreal Hockey Club in 1893. In recognition of his legacy, Lord Stanley was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945 in the "Honoured Builders" category. For more information, visit www.hhof.com.

Media wishing to attend the event must confirm their attendance
with the Lord Stanley Memorial Monument Inc.

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SOURCE Governor General of Canada

For further information: Marie-Ėve Létourneau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-0287, 613-302-0912 (cell), [e-mail]; Sylvie Bigras, Lord Stanley Memorial Monument Inc., 613-298-1625, [e-mail]