News Releases

RED DEER, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - April 2, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

BMO Bank of Montreal announced today that Red Deer Rebel fan Rob Drysdale has been crowned the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan for the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Mr. Drysdale became eligible for the award by beating out all other participants in team trivia, sporting the best costume, and wowing the judges. He was then entered into a draw with other Ultimate Fans from the WHL and won the grand prize: a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Québec.

The BMO Ultimate CHL Fan contest was held to kick off a new four-year partnership between BMO and the CHL.

"Fans and local residents from 41 communities across Canada rallied around their teams to showcase their pride and support," said Sandy Bourne, Vice-President, Corporate Advertising & Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group. "Supporting the CHL is an important part of BMO's commitment to investing in our communities. Our customers are passionate about their CHL hockey team and so are we."

Mr. Drysdale will be joining two other winners - Justin Hendrikx from the Ontario Hockey League, and Robert Pronovost from the Québec Major Junior Hockey League - who were also awarded a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

"On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League I would like to congratulate the three lucky winners that were among the hundreds of fans who passionately showed support for their favourite CHL team at BMO community celebrations across the country," said CHL President David Branch. "We look forward to seeing the same passion from our BMO Ultimate CHL Fans in Shawinigan this May at the MasterCard Memorial Cup."

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League

BMO is the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League and the Official Bank of each of the CHL's member hockey leagues: the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League and the Québec Major Junior Hockey League.

The sponsorship builds on BMO's partnership with the CHL of more than 10 years and affirms BMO's exclusivity as a financial services sponsor of the league in the retail banking category. It also engrains a presence with the 46 teams who currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through branded credit cards.

About BMO Financial Group

For more than 194 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2011, BMO contributed more than $66 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

Internet: facebook.com/BMOcommunity

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