THE WAYNE GRETZKY FOUNDATION / HOCKEY CANADA FOUNDATION LAUNCH THE “FUTURE TEAM CANADA" PROGRAM

- 13 Minor Hockey Teams in Canada will be recognized and chosen to share over $50,000 of equipment and financial support for their team -

TORONTO, ON – The Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the Hockey Canada Foundation, along with Hockey Canada, are pleased to announce the return of the "Future Team Canada" program. This program, now in it’s fifth 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.

Submit your team’s essay, roster and team photos via http://members.hockeycanada.ca/futureteamcanada/.

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

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 January 4, 2009, and can be submitted by clicking on the following link - http://members.hockeycanada.ca/futureteamcanada/ or 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

• Sticks

• $1,999 to be used for team development activities (e.g. ice costs, special instruction, assisting the less fortunate with the opportunity to play, etc.)

• Coaching Volunteer Recognition Package (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 Hockey Canada Foundation works with the Hockey Canada team to encourage active participation and lifelong health and wellness, provide leadership development opportunities, promote the principles of teamwork, and act as an advocate for fun, fair play and pure enjoyment of the game; all this while helping to build bonds that will last a lifetime. 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 Hockey Canada Foundation joined forces with Hockey Canada to recognize hockey teams across the country that display the same positive values as Team Canada.