News Releases

TORONTO, June 4, 2010 - Skate Canada has presented the 2010 BMO Financial Group National CanSkater of the Year Award to seven-year-old Matthew Chislett, from Marystown, Newfoundland. Matthew is one of 13 sectional winners of the award from across the country and was a silver medallist at the Newfoundland Junior Provincial Skating Competition in February.

"Once again Skate Canada is pleased to have worked in partnership with BMO on the CanSkate Medals Program", said William Thompson, CEO, Skate Canada. "The commitment of BMO to CanSkate, as well as to our organization, provides tremendous assistance and inspiration to help young skaters across the country make their debut on ice. I would like to congratulate all the sectional winners of the CanSkater Award and wish Matthew the best of luck in his future with skating."

After being awarded CanSkater of the Year Award for the Skate Canada Newfoundland section on April 25, a Skate Canada and BMO panel selected Matthew as the national winner. Matthew and his family were flown to Toronto to receive the award at Skate Canada's Annual General Meeting.

The CanSkate program has named a national winner annually since 2001. The recipient of the award is chosen from the 13 sectional winners, based on their commitment and passion to the sport. Skaters from across Canada have benefitted from the program, including 2010 ISU World Figure Skating Championships silver medalist, Patrick Chan.

"My favourite Canadian champion skater is Patrick Chan," said Matthew. "Watching Patrick skate and compete is the reason I started figure skating. I want to be like Patrick and win lots of medals."

"BMO Financial Group has been a dedicated supporter of Skate Canada for 14 years," said Sandy Bourne, Vice-President, Advertising, Sponsorship/Events and Merchandising, BMO Financial Group. "The CanSkate program marks one of the many ways BMO is working across Canadian sports at the grassroots level, to encourage passion, dedication, and enjoyment for the next generation of Canadian champions."

BMO and Canadian Figure Skating

Since 1997, BMO Financial Group has been proud to bring the best of Canadian figure skating to fans across the country. Skate Canada's CanSkate program, presented by BMO Financial Group, is delivered in every one of its clubs across Canada and taught by professional coaches to skaters of all ages. BMO is also a major sponsor of the Canadian National Figure Skating Team and of Skate Canada, the governing body of Canadian figure skating that oversees more than 1,450 clubs and nearly 200,000 members. In addition to supporting competitive skating events, BMO Financial Group is a strong supporter of CanSkate, Skate Canada's learn to skate program.