TORONTO, ONT. - It's time once again to put fun back into hockey in Canada! In partnership with the CANADIAN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION the TEAM ESQ. program is designed to assist hockey development programs in Canada. Entering its second year, $1.00 from the sale of every ESQ. watch sold in Canada between October 1/00 and March 31/01 will go back to hockey development in Canada. Last year $50,000 was raised for hockey development programs in Canada.

1. The 2000/2001 program consists of two components:

A)$1.00 from the sale of all ESQ. products sold between October 1/00 and March 31/01 will be donated to assist with CHA hockey development programs benefiting all boys and girls hockey teams and players in Canada.

Through the CHA, the funds raised will go toward the funding of four core Canadian Hockey programs: 1) the Gatorade Canadian Hockey Safety Program 2) the Officiating Program 3) the Canadian Hockey Initiation Program (Rogers Skills First) and 4) Specialty Clinics to enhance skill development for players.

B) "Your Team Could be the next TEAM ESQ." Promotion; Five winning boys and girls hockey teams from across Canada will be selected by the ESQ. panel to win the ESQ. hockey package and have a chance to be TEAM ESQ. The package consists of one hockey stick, one water bottle, one ESQ. Team Canada hockey jersey, one equipment bag, one hockey puck for each team member (20 team members and two coaches). Then one of the five winning teams will be randomly chosen to be ESQ's Team Canada. The winning team will be featured on the ESQ. commercial and will also win a Team Canada Hockey Experience with a Canadian Hockey Association Centre of Excellence.

The Team Canada Hockey Experience will consist of a skills session with a minimum of two accredited Canadian Hockey Association coaches and or players. There will be an official welcome followed by a two hour clinic hosted by a Canadian Hockey Association Centre of Excellence. Once the clinic is completed, the winning team will then be filmed for a new ESQ commercial.

2. ESQ Raised Over $50,000 For Hockey Development Programs in Canada During 99/00

The 1999/2000 TEAM ESQ program was a huge success for ESQ and minor hockey in Canada. $1.00 from the sale of every ESQ. watch sold in Canada between October 1/99 and March 31/00 was donated back to hockey development in Canada. The 1999/2000 TEAM ESQ program raised over $50,000 for CHA grassroots hockey development programs in Canada.

3. TEAM ESQ Winning Teams From the 99/00 Program ESQ received hundreds of entries from players, coaches and parents as to why their team should be the next TEAM ESQ. 

The team ESQ panel narrowed down the field to select five winning entries from our five regions across Canada. The winning teams from the 99/00 TEAM ESQ program were:

* Nelson Hustlers - Nelson, British Columbia

* Mafeking Legionnaores - Mafeking, Manatoba

* Brantford Comfort Inn - Brantford, Ontario

* St. Laurent Predators - St. Laurent, Quebec

* Souris Seahawks - Souris, Prince Edward Island

The Nelson Hustlers were randomly selected from the five winning teams to be ESQ's Team Canada. The Nelson Hustlers were featured in an ESQ. commercial and also won a Team Canada Hockey Experience from the CHA.