Sport Chek Partners with the Toronto Maple Leafs to Provide the Ultimate Big League Experience for Local Minor Hockey Players

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - On Saturday, October 20, Air Canada Centre will be the host venue for an ultimate youth hockey experience entitled 'Our Game'. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Sport Chek will host youth hockey teams to play their typical weekend game under the big lights on the NHL ice.

Games will feature player introductions and scoring announcements on the public address system along with video highlights on the HD video board above centre ice. Saturday's schedule will consist of a series of back-to-back games throughout the day, between select minor hockey teams from the Toronto area that are enrolled in the Sport Chek Team Assist program. Each player can bring family and friends to watch them play on the home ice of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The first game is scheduled for 7:30 am and the final game is slated for 2:20 pm. Following the games, the day will continue with an open skate for the players and families.

"Hockey is not just a game - it's a way of life for Canadians," said Michael Medline, President, FGL Sports Ltd. "By having these kids play on the big ice, they'll be playing like the pros and striving towards their best performance. This event will create lifelong memories for the kids and their families, fueling the passion we all have for the great game of hockey."

"We're excited to work with our partner Sport Chek to host some of the GTA's most aspiring young hockey players and to provide them with the unique experience of playing at Air Canada Centre," said David Hopkinson, senior vice-president of business partnerships for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. "Our Game is a great initiative on many levels because it gives the young participants an opportunity to further hone their skills on the ice, while recognizing the value of positive reinforcement in staying active and having fun."

Sport Chek's innovative Team Assist program is focused on helping families lower the cost of participating in organized sports. Teams that are enrolled in the program receive special discounts on sports gear and also receive funds to offset the costs of ice time, tournament registration fees and other costs. To learn more about Sport Chek Team Assist, please visit team.sportchek.ca.

About FGL Sports
FGL Sports Ltd., formerly The Forzani Group Ltd. is Canada's largest national retailer of sporting goods, offering a comprehensive assortment of brand-name and private-brand products, operating stores from coast to coast, under the following corporate and franchise banners: Sport Chek, Sport Mart, Athletes World, National Sports, Sports Experts, Intersport, Econosports, Atmosphere, Nevada Bob's Golf, Hockey Experts, Fitness Source, and S3. FGL Sports also has websites for several of its corporate and franchise banners which can be accessed through its main website at www.FGLSports.com.

SOURCE: FGL Sports Ltd.

John Slighte
North Strategic
[email protected]
416-919-4945      

Pat Park 
Toronto Maple Leafs
[email protected]
416-815-5761