WHL RIDE FOR THE KIDS, PRESENTED BY SCOTIABANK, RAISES $150,000
Saskatoon, SK – The Western Hockey League, the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, Scotiabank and WHL Alumni Kelly Chase, Dave Chartier and Curtis Leschyshyn today announced that the “WHL Ride for the Kids”, presented by Scotiabank, held across Saskatchewan in June 2011, raised $150,000 in support of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
The “WHL Ride for the Kids”, presented by Scotiabank, featured former WHL and NHL players participating in a 655 kilometre bike relay across the province of Saskatchewan raising awareness and funding for the new Children’s Hospital in Saskatchewan. The event featured stops in all five WHL Saskatchewan centres from June 5-9, 2011 and included fundraising events being staged following each leg of the relay by the Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats.
The WHL Ride for the Kids received a strong response from former Saskatchewan WHL and NHL players who were eager to participate in this unique fundraising event. Some players who participate in the event included; Kelly Chase, Dave Chartier, Curtis Leschyshyn, Colby Armstrong, Riley Armstrong, Derek Dorsett, Darcy Hordichuk, Kevin Kaminski, Mike Keane and Barret Jackman, among many others who took part on individual legs of the relay.
“At Scotiabank we believe that an investment in healthcare translates to brighter futures for the communities in which we live and work,” said Kim Braun, District Vice President Saskatchewan North, Scotiabank. “We are proud to support this amazing event which has generated not only funding for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan but awareness for the invaluable role they play in our community.”
“It never ceases to amaze me how the hockey community in our province consistently steps forward to stand alongside the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan in its goal of supporting a children’s hospital for this province. The WHL Ride for the Kids was instrumental in provincially communicating the importance of a children’s hospital and also raising much needed funds for this historical and groundbreaking project, “ stated Brynn Boback-Lane, President & CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
“The WHL Ride for the Kids was a spectacular event from a fundraising stand-point and also building huge awareness of the need for a Children’s Hospital in Saskatchewan,” commented WHL Alumnus Kelly Chase. “The people of Saskatchewan and the athletes involve are some of the most giving people around, the success of this event could not have been possible without their support.”
“The WHL and our five Saskatchewan based Clubs were very proud to have partnered with our WHL Alumni and Scotiabank to make the ‘WHL Ride for the Kids’ a huge success,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “All of the Alumni who participated in the event have strong ties to Saskatchewan and thanks to the generosity of the people throughout Province we not only raised significant funds but also raised awareness of the importance in supporting the Children Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.”
The WHL Ride for the Kids, presented by Scotiabank, culminated in Regina at the Pats and Shooting Stars Foundations annual Red, Blue and Bling dinner and auction, with proceeds going towards the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
"We all know of a family that has needed help when a child is sick, many who need great facilities and doctors to make a full recovery," commented Shooting Stars Foundation co-founder Mike Sillinger. "We founded Shooting Stars to engage the community to raise awareness and funds to help causes such as this. A Children's Hospital is what Saskatchewan needs. We are going the help make that happen."
About the Children’s Hospital Foundation of SaskatchewanChildren’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan is a provincial charity raising awareness and funds for pediatric medical research, equipment, education and the provincial children’s hospital. We are the Saskatchewan member of Children’s Miracle NetworkÒ, 100% dedicated to Saskatchewan children and their hospital, and proud partners of the Saskatoon and Regina Qu’Appelle Health Regions on the children’s hospital project. www.childrenshospitalsask.ca
About Kelly ChaseChase’s quest to support the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan began with his appearance on the CBC’s Battle of the Blades and continues with The WHL Ride for the Kids. Born in Porcupine, SK, he played for the Saskatoon Blades from 1985-88 before joining the St. Louis Blues in 1988. Kelly retired from hockey in 2000 having appeared in 458 NHL games. Chase now works as a colour commentator for the St. Louis Blues broadcast team. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada for his contributions to the province of Saskatchewan.
About the WHL
Western Hockey League (WHL) is the largest major junior hockey league in the world today with 22 member Clubs throughout Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The WHL attracts over 4 million spectators each season to regular season and playoff games and is a world leader in player development and scholarship opportunities. Each season the WHL is one of the top leagues from which players are selected from in the NHL Entry Draft. Currently over 20% of all NHL players are graduates of the WHL. The WHL is also a leading provider of post-secondary scholarships with over 400 scholarships awarded each year to current and graduate WHL players, more than any other league in North America. The WHL is a member of the Canadian Hockey League (together with the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) which consists of 60 member clubs from coast to coast in Canada and the northern United States.
About ScotiabankAs the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHLPA®, NHL Alumni™ and the CWHL, Scotiabank is very proud to be Canada’s Hockey Bank. Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. Through its partnerships, Scotiabank’s hockey programs enrich the communities where Canadians live and work by engaging fans and players in new ways to celebrate our game. Scotiabank supports the passion and pride Canadians feel for hockey and believes it is fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork, camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank’s partnership with Pro Hockey Life provides exclusive in-store and online discounts to the Bank’s customers, promotes advice on equipment and enhances the grassroots community programs of both companies. Scotiabank also has partnerships with the Montreal Canadiens®, the Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome, and the Ottawa Senators® whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. For more information on Scotiabank’s hockey programs visit www.scotiahockeyclub.com.
About Kelly ChaseChase’s quest to support the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan began with his appearance on the CBC’s Battle of the Blades and continues with The WHL Ride for the Kids. Born in Porcupine, SK, he played for the Saskatoon Blades from 1985-88 before joining the St. Louis Blues in 1988. Kelly retired from hockey in 2000 having appeared in 458 NHL games. Chase now works as a colour commentator for the St. Louis Blues broadcast team. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada for his contributions to the province of Saskatchewan.
About the WHL
Western Hockey League (WHL) is the largest major junior hockey league in the world today with 22 member Clubs throughout Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The WHL attracts over 4 million spectators each season to regular season and playoff games and is a world leader in player development and scholarship opportunities. Each season the WHL is one of the top leagues from which players are selected from in the NHL Entry Draft. Currently over 20% of all NHL players are graduates of the WHL. The WHL is also a leading provider of post-secondary scholarships with over 400 scholarships awarded each year to current and graduate WHL players, more than any other league in North America. The WHL is a member of the Canadian Hockey League (together with the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) which consists of 60 member clubs from coast to coast in Canada and the northern United States.
About ScotiabankAs the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHLPA®, NHL Alumni™ and the CWHL, Scotiabank is very proud to be Canada’s Hockey Bank. Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. Through its partnerships, Scotiabank’s hockey programs enrich the communities where Canadians live and work by engaging fans and players in new ways to celebrate our game. Scotiabank supports the passion and pride Canadians feel for hockey and believes it is fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork, camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank’s partnership with Pro Hockey Life provides exclusive in-store and online discounts to the Bank’s customers, promotes advice on equipment and enhances the grassroots community programs of both companies. Scotiabank also has partnerships with the Montreal Canadiens®, the Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome, and the Ottawa Senators® whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. For more information on Scotiabank’s hockey programs visit www.scotiahockeyclub.com.
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, ‘Bright Future’. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
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