News Releases

The NHL Alumni Association is pleased to announce that BMO Bank of Montreal is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2006-07 NHL Alumni Hockey Tour that will be visiting approximately 30 cities across Ontario from October to March.  For the first time in the 13-year history of the tour, an NHL Alumni Aboriginal Tour will be added to the schedule, with games taking place on reserves throughout the province. The Alumni team will consist of Aboriginal players and local celebrities, complemented by players from the full season tour.

The full season tour games will involve an NHL Alumni team of retired players who now play for the love of the game.   Their opponents will come from other NHL Alumni teams, including the Maple Leafs, Sabres and Red Wings. Proceeds from the games will support local charities including the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which is a charity spearheaded by local law enforcement who raise money for Special Olympics programs throughout Ontario and Help A Child Smile, a charity that grants wishes to children with cancer.

Another new element to this year's tour is the “BMO Hero of the Game" program. Based on submissions BMO receives at its local bank branches in each city of the tour, BMO will select a resident who is making a significant difference in the community through volunteer and charitable work. At every game, the hero will be acknowledged and celebrated before the crowd and will participate in the ceremonial puck drop.

"The NHL Alumni Association is thrilled that BMO has joined our team as a presenting sponsor of our hockey tour this season. BMO does such great charitable work in our communities, which is an important component to what we do,” said Mark Napier, Executive Director, National Hockey League Alumni. “With BMO's help, we are pleased to be able to introduce so many new elements to this season's tour. We're excited to have the Aboriginal Tour, to be able to honour a community hero at every game, as well as have our players take part in autograph sessions at local BMO branches.  These branch visits will allow the NHL Alumni to touch the community on a very personal level, which is what the NHL Alumni, 'Hockey's Greatest Family', is all about - giving back."

“BMO is pleased to be working with the NHL Alumni Association to bring these fun and popular games to communities across the province and we are thrilled to include an Aboriginal Alumni tour for the first time this season,” said George Heisz, Vice-President, Hamilton District, BMO Bank of Montreal. “BMO has had a long and proud history of supporting sports in Canada. Our ties with sports reflect some of our most deeply held corporate values, including the commitment to support the communities in which we do business. We applaud the NHLA's important charitable work in our communities in Ontario and we look forward to an exciting tour this season.”

First Game in Hamilton

The first game of this year's tour will take place on October 14, 2006 at the Hamilton Mountain Arena at 7:00 p.m. The NHL Alumni are playing against the Buffalo Sabres, with more than 2,200 hockey fans expected to cheer on the teams. Alumni Hockey heroes and greats of the game will be in attendance as players and guest coaches, including Hall of Fame members Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell, as well as John Miszuk, Stan Jonathan, Mike Pelyk, Mark Napier, Gary Leeman and many other fan favourites.

Young hockey players from an Ontario reserve and local Hamilton team will be accompanying the players onto the ice before the game starts and will be helping out behind the benches during the game.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Help A Child Smile.

Call 1-877-431-0685 for tickets and additional information or purchase tickets at the game for $16.00 each.

NHL Alumni Association

Established in 1999, the NHL Alumni Association, a non-profit organization, serves as a liaison for the 28 local alumni groups across North America. Also known as “Hockey's Greatest Family”, the NHLA provides affinity and loyalty programs, assistance and financial advice for all retired NHL players. The NHLA also coordinates and facilitates Alumni members' appearances and participation in such activities as the Ontario tour.

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