It is unfortunate that VANOC has taken such a heavy handed approach against a national sport federation, by going public today on an issue that Hockey Canada has been discussing and looking to resolve with VANOC on behalf of our premier sponsor Imperial Oil.

As a premier sponsor of Hockey Canada for the past 23 years, Imperial Oil has the right to use and promote the Hockey Canada trademark with Canada’s national minor hockey development programs and Canada’s Men’s and Women’s National hockey teams.  Imperial Oil’s association is with Hockey Canada and we believe that the Imperial Oil promotion and any commercial gain from the promotion would be associated to Imperial Oil’s sponsorship to Hockey Canada and its National hockey teams.

Hockey Canada and Imperial Oil have acted in a manner consistent with previous promotional activities and with the legal commitments as agreed to between Hockey Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Vancouver 2010 Bid Committee.

Hockey Canada believes that the Imperial Oil promotion does not constitute illegal or unethical advertising and that the promotion is a proper exercise of the rights Imperial Oil has acquired from Hockey Canada.

Hockey Canada and its corporate partners contribute to Canadian athletes, whether they are skating for the first time or whether they are providing Olympic glory for all Canadians to participate and celebrate in.  We strongly believe that Canada's National Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams will be a major contributor to the success of the 20 Olympic Games, and to achieve this, Hockey Canada requires the ability to market itself and its teams to generate the revenue necessary to attain this goal.

The funding and support provided by Hockey Canada's partners, sponsors and licensees allows Hockey Canada to fund the development and organization of Hockey throughout Canada from minor hockey programs through Canada’s National Men’s and Women’s Teams.  Without the financial support of these partners, Hockey Canada would be unable to maintain its tradition and history of excellence in hockey and provide all Canadians with great Olympic and international hockey memories. 

Imperial Oil is a key contributor to the success of hockey in our country.