TORONTO, ON – The Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the Canadian Hockey Foundation, along with Hockey Canada, are pleased to announce the return of the "Future Team Canada" program. This program, now in it’s third year, will reward and recognize thirteen minor hockey teams in Canada for the amount of heart they show rather than the amount of games they win.

Last year, 13 teams from across Canada were selected and recognized as part of this important program. The beneficiaries were:

Hockey North - Rankin Inlet Bantam

BCAHA - Lillooet Pistons Midget

Hockey Alberta - Eckville Eagles Atom A

Saskatchewan Hockey Association - Pilot Butte Prairie Storm Peewee

Hockey Manitoba - Neepawa Hawks Peewee

Hockey Northwestern Ontario - Filane’s Falcons Novice, Schreiber

Ontario Hockey Federation - Toronto East Enders Ticats Peewee

Ottawa District Hockey Association - Kemptville Novice Ice Cats

Hockey Quebec - Montréal Avalanche Peewee

Hockey New Brunswick - Riverview Peewee AA Blues

Hockey Nova Scotia - Dartmouth Whalers Atom

PEIHA - Charlottetown Abbies Midget A

Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador - Avalon Celtics Bantam B, St. Johns

Minor hockey teams across Canada are once again encouraged to submit their team roster and, in 250 words or less, an essay outlining their team’s values, special characteristics, community involvement and dedication that could make them a "Future Team Canada". Deadline for entries is , and can be submitted through the "Future Team Canada" icon found on the Hockey Canada web site at www.hockeycanada.ca.

By entering the “Future Team Canada” program, teams can become eligible to receive equipment and financial support for their team.

“Minor hockey in Canada is all about having fun, meeting new friends and being physically active. We were very pleased with the response last year and look forward to running this program again that will result in the distribution of equipment and funding to another 13 deserving minor hockey teams in Canada that personify team dedication and positive values”, said Wayne Gretzky.

“This ‘Future Team Canada’ program continues to be an excellent way to promote the positive values of minor hockey, with the emphasis on being involved in hockey and more importantly having fun playing the game”, said Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey Canada.

Of the submissions received, one team from each of Hockey Canada’s 13 Branches will be selected to receive the following package to help support future team development:

Team Canada jerseys and hockey bags bearing the Wayne Gretzky Foundation logo

Gloves

Sticks

$1,000 to be used for team development

Coaching Volunteer Recognition Package (Gloves, Stick, Bag, Coaching Club Membership, Development DVD’s and more)

The Wayne Gretzky Foundation believes that hockey instills many positive life skills and contributes to the physical, emotional and social growth of young people. Canada’s National Men’s and Women’s hockey teams promote many of these positive life skills such as respect, safety and fun.

The Canadian Hockey Foundation works with the Hockey Canada team to help ensure Canada remains at the forefront in the development and promotion of amateur hockey. The outcomes of the "Future Team Canada" program and the principles championed by the Wayne Gretzky Foundation demonstrate a shared vision for the future of our game.

That’s why the Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the Canadian Hockey Foundation joined forces with Hockey Canada to recognize hockey teams across the country that display the same positive values as Team Canada.

‘FUTURE TEAM CANADA PROGRAM’ DETAILS:

Application Essay Description

We all know that hockey is Canada’s game and is a passion for many Canadians. More than the number of goals scored, and more than the number of games won. Hockey is also about making friends, achieving physical fitness, building self esteem, displaying good sportsmanship and having fun.

The hockey players that represent Team Canada at international competitions display the following values:

respect the dignity and spirit of all participants

treat all participants fairly and equitably

participate in a manner that ensures the safety of athletes, coaches and officials participating in the game

create positive and supportive hockey experiences for the purpose of building confidence, developing and improving skills and having fun

support that the game be played by the rules of hockey and in the spirit of the game
display high personal standards and project a favorable image of the sport
How does your minor hockey team display these Team Canada values? Does your team volunteer in your community, help teach younger players the fundamentals of the game, support teammates through tough times? In 250 words (or less), tell us what special characteristics and values your team has that could make it a future Team Canada.

‘FUTURE TEAM CANADA PROGRAM’

Program Rules & Regulations:

Who:Any minor hockey team in Canada is eligible to participate. The entry essay must be written by someone on the team age 18 or younger.

When is the contest:Submissions will be accepted from Tuesday, November 1st through Wednesday November 30th at 4:30PM Mountain Time.

How do I Enter: Submit your team’s essay and roster via the "Future Team Canada" icon found on the Hockey Canada web site at www.hockeycanada.ca OR

via mail/courier to:

Future Team Canada Program

c/o Hockey Canada

2424 University Drive NW

Calgary, AB

T2N 3Y9

NO FAX SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

ONLY ONE (1) SUBMISSION PER TEAM WILL BE ACCEPTED. If submitting by mail/courier, please be sure to include a return address, phone number and e-mail address.

Selection: one (1) submission from the area of each of Hockey Canada's branches will be selected based on the criteria as a "Future Team Canada" program beneficiary, by a committee representing the program
organizers. The Wayne Gretzky Foundation, The Canadian Hockey Foundation and Hockey Canada reserves the right to select the beneficiaries and the selections made will be final. Selected teams will be notified within three (3) weeks of the contest closing, and the beneficiaries will also be posted on the Hockey Canada web site at a later date.

Prizing:Each beneficiary will receive the following (up to 19 player packages/4 coaching packages, based on the number of players/coaches on the roster submitted):

one (1) Team Canada Jersey with the Wayne Gretzky Foundation patch for each player

one (1) pair of hockey gloves for each player

one (1) stick for each player

one (1) hockey bag with Wayne Gretzky Foundation logo for each player

a cash award of $1,000 to be used for team development purposes (e.g. ice costs, special instruction, etc.).

Coaching Volunteer Recognition Package (Gloves, Stick, Bag, Coaching Club Membership, Development DVD’s and more)

The team may be asked to provide a summary (with receipts) of team development activities for the cash portion of the award. Delivery will be coordinated through the appropriate contacts following the selection of the team.

Privacy: All information received will be held in accordance with Hockey Canada's privacy policy.

For More Information:

Norm Dueck

Coordinator, Special ProjectsHockey Canada

(403) 777-4551

[email protected]