– Canada’s annual celebration of hockey returns to the west coast on February 6, 2016 –
TORONTO, June 10, 2015 /CNW/ – Canada’s annual hockey tradition returns to breathtaking British Columbia as Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada is set to celebrate the country’s favourite pastime from ‘Canada’s Tournament Capital’ – Kamloops.
Scotiabank and Sportsnet bring the 16th edition of the celebrated hockey event to Canadians on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Ron MacLean will host the festivities live from Kamloops throughout the 13-hour national broadcast, featuring all seven Canadian NHL teams in action.
“Hockey is part of the Canadian DNA and we’re proud to support over 5,000 hockey teams in communities across the country, including 86 teams here in Kamloops,” said Scotiabank’s Winnie Leong, Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon Region. “Kamloops is a vibrant setting to host our nation’s biggest celebration of the sport that we all love, and Scotiabank is excited to be a part of it.”
“Kamloops is a perfect setting to unite all Canadians for Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. It has an incredibly rich hockey history, which will be brought to life all throughout the broadcast,” said Joel Darling, Executive Producer, NHL Special Events, Rogers. “This is a day that all hockey fans circle in their calendar and look forward to celebrating with family and friends.”
Leading up to the events and national broadcast on Saturday, Feb. 6, the 2016 Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada festivities will begin in Kamloops on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, featuring grassroots events that highlight the city’s deep love of hockey. The Western Hockey League, which includes the six-time league champion Kamloops Blazers, will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016.
“We couldn’t be more excited about Kamloops being chosen to host this four-day event and can’t wait to show our passion for hockey and sport to the rest of Canada. Kamloops is home to not only world class facilities and athletes, but a community of volunteers and residents who make us a premiere host for any event,” said Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar.
This marks the second time Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada has taken place in British Columbia – the city of Nelson hosted in 2007. Additional event details, including the NHL game schedule will be announced in the coming months.
Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada’s 16th annual celebration continues an important Canadian tradition. Previous host locations include: Halifax, NS (2015); Lloydminster, AB/SK (2014); Peterborough, ON (2013); Summerside, PEI (2012); Whitehorse, YT (2011); Stratford, ON (2010); Campbellton, NB (2009); Winkler, MB (2008); Nelson, BC (2007); Stephenville, NL, (2006); Shaunavon, SK (2004); Iqualuit, NU (2003); Windsor, NS. (2002); Red Deer, AB (2001); and Toronto, ON (2000).
About Sportsnet
Sportsnet connects Canadian sports fans to their favourite teams and athletes, using five platforms: TV, Radio, Print, Online and Mobile. Delivering storytelling on a local, regional, national and global level, the multiplatform brand consists of Sportsnet, sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Sportsnet magazine, Sportsnet Mobile and Sportsnet NOW. Sportsnet consists of four regional channels (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific), and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet World, and Sportsnet 360. Sportsnet is the official Canadian NHL national broadcast rights holder, and is also the official regional television broadcast rights holder for the Calgary Flames (including radio rights on Sportsnet 960 The FAN), Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs (including radio rights on Sportsnet 590 The FAN), Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens. In addition, Sportsnet is also the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights holder of the CHL, including the Memorial Cup. Sportsnet is the Canadian leader in MLB television broadcasts and is home to all 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series. Sportsnet also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, Toronto Raptors, NBA, CIS Vanier Cup, Grand Slam of Curling, IndyCar, the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, and extensive soccer programming including Barclays Premier League, CONCACAF and Canadian national team matches for men and women. Sportsnet Central is the network’s news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day’s events in the world of sports.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni™, CWHL, Vancouver Canucks®, Winnipeg Jets®, Toronto Maple Leafs®, Ottawa Senators®, Edmonton Oilers® and the Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Bank also has a partnership with the Montreal Canadiens®. Scotiabank’s Community Hockey Sponsorship Program supports over 5,000 minor hockey teams in communities across Canada. To find out more about Scotiabank’s hockey programs, please visit www.scotiabank.com/the5thseason.
Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $837 billion (as at April 30, 2015), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank’s media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.
About Kamloops
Located in the southern interior between Vancouver and the Alberta border and with a population of 87,000, Kamloops is a thriving hub of business, arts, culture, sport and recreation. With more than $60 million invested in new and improved sport venues, Kamloops is proudly known as Canada’s Tournament Capital. Home to the largest Minor Hockey Association in BC as well as the WHL Kamloops Blazers, Kamloops has a long and storied history in hockey. To learn more about Kamloops, visit www.kamloops.ca.
SOURCE Rogers Media
