News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 9, 2013) - BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League today launched the 2013 BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Contest, which will be held in the hometowns of 42 CHL teams between October 13 and December 6, 2013.

Fans are invited to attend local hockey games dressed up in their team's colours, jerseys and costumes for a chance to be named the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan. Forty-two BMO Ultimate CHL Fans will be crowned in their respective communities. From these winners, three Ultimate Fans will be named the Ultimate CHL Fan for each of their respective leagues - the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL. Each will win the grand prize - a trip for two to the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup in London, Ontario (May 23-25, 2014).

"Over the past two years, BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Appreciation Nights have helped to bring communities across Canada together in celebration of Canadian hockey and its loyal fans," said Justine Fedak, Senior Vice President, Brand Advertising, Sponsorships & Merchandising, BMO Financial Group. "These celebrations provide BMO with an amazing opportunity to connect with CHL fans, generate increased interest in the game and build excitement towards the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup - one of the largest hockey events in the country."

"Canadians right across the country have enthusiastically embraced BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Appreciation Nights, which is a reaffirming testament to how important CHL hockey is to local communities throughout Canada," said David Branch, President of the Canadian Hockey League. "We are excited to build on this success as we kick off the third consecutive year of the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Contest in 42 of our Canadian communities across the country."

Kicking off in Chicoutimi on October 13, the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Appreciation Nights are centred on the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan contest, which will take place at local games. The contest will be open to all attendees who have purchased a ticket to the game and are over the age of 13. During the first intermission fans will be encouraged to stand up and show their team spirit. Based on their originality, enthusiasm and creativity, three lucky fans will be selected to participate in a trivia contest - specific to their CHL team - which will take place on the players' bench during the second intermission. The first person to answer three questions correctly will be declared the BMO Ultimate Fan for his/her particular team.

The winner will receive an autographed team jersey with BMO Ultimate Fan crested on the front, a $50 prepaid MasterCard, and gain entry into the grand prize draw for the trip for two to the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup in London in May 2014.

CHL fans will also have an additional opportunity to be named the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan in the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Online Photo Contest. Between October 13 and December 6, fans can enter the BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Photo Contest by submitting a photo of themselves, displaying their team pride, at facebook.com/BMOcommunity. One lucky winner will be awarded a trip for two to the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

The BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Appreciation Nights will take place in the following locations*:

The BMO Ultimate CHL Fan Contest is part of several special fan appreciation initiatives taking place during BMO's third year as the Official Bank of the CHL. Other CHL events during BMO-focused initiatives will take place during the league's national marquee events: the MasterCard Memorial Cup, the Subway Super Series and the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. BMO will also incorporate the BMO Power of Blue program - which provides special perks to BMO customers each week at CHL hockey games across Canada, including the opportunity to win a pre-loaded MasterCard.

BMO and the Canadian Hockey League

BMO Financial Group and the Canadian Hockey League announced BMO as the Official Bank of the Canadian Hockey League in 2011. The four-year agreement also designates BMO as the Official Bank of each of the CHL's member hockey leagues: the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the Quebec 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 48 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 195 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2012, BMO contributed more than $87.6 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.

About the Canadian Hockey League

The Canadian Hockey League is the world's largest development hockey league with 52 Canadian and eight American teams participating in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. CHL players graduate from high school at a rate higher than the Canadian national average. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League than any other league.