CALGARY, AB – Cut Knife Minor Hockey Association of Cut Knife, Saskatchewan has been chosen as the winner of the ‘Hockey Canada Week - Minor Hockey Association contest', and will receive the $10,000 in Easton product.

Cut Knife was one of 18 minor hockey associations to enter the contest, which were asked to conduct an activity during Hockey Canada Week (November 8-15, 2003) to promote hockey in a positive way.

Cut Knife is a small association with only 93 registered minor hockey players. Their Hockey Canada Week events that promoted hockey in a positive way included: hosting the Association's first Midget game since 1989, developing their own hockey brochure that was distributed during Hockey Canada Week, each Cut Knife team played a home game on the last day of Hockey Canada Week, and teams launched the sale of clothing featuring their new minor hockey association logo.

Jeanne Gilchrist, spokesperson for Cut Knife Minor Hockey was thrilled when notified that they had won the contest, "Our players will be so excited. Hockey memories are not games won or lost, but moments during the season. This is one of those moments! When I first saw the contest details on Hockey Canada's website, I thought, this is us, this is what our association believes - we could enter this contest. Heck, what do we have to lose. Convincing the coaches that we should promote Hockey Canada Week 2003 didn't take a lot of work. We went ahead with the opening ceremonies and supported the revival of our midget team - it was good for the community; the activities were fun for the kids, and we started our season on a positive note"

Allan Matthews, Chair of the Board for Hockey Canada, applauded the efforts of the Cut Knife Minor Hockey Association, "Local Minor Hockey Associations are responsible for the profile hockey has in their communities. It is activities such as those the Cut Knife Minor Hockey participated in that involve the community in our game, celebrate hockey as a sport, and encourage parents to register their children to play hockey. Congratulations to Cut Knife for a job well done and a model for other minor hockey associations to follow."

Hockey Canada Week, which ran from November 8-15, was a celebration of the beginning of the hockey season all across Canada and aimed to promote the positive values of hockey and the work done by the over four-million volunteers involved in minor hockey in Canada each and every year.

Hockey Canada Week took over from ‘Canadian Hockey Week' which was discontinued in 1999, as Hockey Canada's thirteen Branches had introduced their own ‘Minor Hockey Week' at different times of the year. Hockey Canada Week was a brand new national initiative led by Hockey Canada with the participation of Branches, minor hockey associations and other community and corporate partners.

The 2004 Hockey Canada Week will take place November 7 .

Easton Sports is a privately owned developer, manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of sports equipment for individuals of all ages and abilities. Easton does not solely rely on name recognition to build and maintain business, but rather focuses on its ability to innovate and create products of unmatched quality and design. Headquartered in Van Nuys, Calif., Easton employs over 1,000 worldwide and maintains facilities in Canada, California, Mexico, and Utah. For more information, or to schedule interview, please contact Formula at 310-578-7050.

" We are excited to continue our support at the grassroots level of hockey in Canada and the Cut Knife Minor Hockey Association," said Geoff Sadowy, COO of Easton Sports Canada. "Hockey Canada creates a structured environment for hockey players, coaches and officials and Easton is proud to support such an invaluable organization. We feel Easton Sports and Hockey Canada represent the elite of our respective industries and share a parallel commitment to providing Canada with the best resources in order to enhance and develop the game. We look forward to a long-term partnership, enhancing the sport of hockey throughout Canada."

Kelly McClintock, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association,recognized the dedication of the Cut Knife organization, "The SaskatchewanHockey Association wishes to extend its congratulations to Cut Knife Minor Hockeyfor being named the winner of the Hockey Canada Week - Minor Hockey Associationcontest. This award recognizes the efforts of many volunteers in the Cut Knifearea who have worked diligently to ensure kids from all backgrounds have an opportunityto experience the game in a safe and fun environment.