News Releases

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 26, 2014) - BMO Financial Group announced that Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) forward, Nikolaj Ehlers of the Halifax Mooseheads, is the 2013-2014 recipient of the BMO CHL Rookie of the Year Award. The award was announced in London, Ontario at the annual Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Awards on Saturday, May 24, 2014.

The BMO CHL Rookie of the Year Award is presented annually to a Canadian Hockey League player who demonstrates outstanding achievement, sportsmanship and dedication to sport.

Ehlers, an 18-year-old native of Aalborg, Denmark, finished first in rookie scoring in the QMJHL with 49 goals and 104 points and earned the Michel Bergeron Trophy, which is awarded annually to the QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year. In the latest QMJHL rankings, Ehlers was ranked 13th among 2014 draft eligible skaters.

"Coming from Europe and adapting to the community and the type of play in North American hockey can be challenging, but Nikolaj always comes to the rink with a smile, dedicated to improving," said Halifax Mooseheads' Head Coach, Dominique Ducharme.

"He is consistent, committed and possesses a natural ability to adapt to all situations. Characteristics such as these should be commemorated, and are what led Nikolaj to where he is today," added Ducharme.

Ehlers accepted the BMO CHL Rookie of the Year Award at a ceremony on Saturday, May 24, 2014, as part of the CHL Awards in London. The award was presented by BMO's Kristen Kennedy, Regional Vice President, Personal Banking.

"As a long-time supporter of junior hockey in Canada, BMO is particularly honoured to present this year's award to Nikolaj," said Ms. Kennedy. "This accolade highlights the value of great motivation, perseverance and extraordinary talent for an athlete's career and we congratulate Nikolaj on this accomplishment."

* Editor's Note: There is a photo associated with this news release

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 which currently participate in the BMO CHL Affinity MasterCard program, which enables CHL fans to support their favourite teams through a co-branded credit card.

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 2013, BMO Financial Group allocated $56 million to registered charities, not-for-profit and community-based organizations and institutions in Canada and the United States.

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.

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