For immediate release

January 9, 2015

Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that they will be celebrating Grant Thornton Minor Hockey Week in the province from January 17-24, 2015.

The week-long event will kick-off in Labrador City next Saturday, January 17, 2015. The Labrador West Minor Hockey Association was selected by Hockey NL to host the kick-off festivities that will be held at the Labrador City Arena. The northern minor hockey association, who hosted a Tim Horton’s Hockey Development Tour earlier in the season, is eager to highlight minor hockey next Saturday.

The provincial slogan this year is “The Bigger You Dream…The Bigger You Play”. Arnold Kelly, of Goose Bay, is the Chair of Minor Hockey for the provincial hockey governing body and he will be in Labrador City on the 17th to make the official proclamation. “This year’s slogan was created to remind our players that in hockey there is a tendency to dream, and we want to inspire our members to set their sights high and strive for their respective goals”, said Kelly. “We would also like to congratulate and thank the Labrador West Minor Hockey Association for their incredible commitment to this year’s kick off”.

The Host Association will be presenting a different celebratory event this year. On Saturday, January 17th, the Labrador West Minor Hockey Association will organize a fun jamboree style competition with all age divisions (from the Tim Horton’s Novice to Midget divisions) in the association mixed together on upwards to twenty teams. It will be a sure fun-filled event with an official opening ceremony of minor hockey week taking place 2:30 p.m., Saturday January 17, 2015 at the Labrador City Arena. Local dignitaries, hockey representatives, and a representative from the title sponsor for the annual Minor Hockey Week, Grant Thornton, will be on hand for the ceremonies.

Grant Thornton has been a partner in Minor Hockey Week for the last two years and are looking forward to the week celebrations.” Grant Thornton is delighted to be continuing our partnership with Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador by supporting Minor Hockey Week across the province,” says Steve Power, Managing Partner, Newfoundland and Labrador. “As a national accounting firm with offices across Newfoundland and Labrador it’s gratifying for us to support a tradition that brings our families and communities together”.

One interesting event happening during Grant Thornton Minor Hockey Week, is that Hockey NL President Jack Lee, has accepted the challenge to shave his head in aid of Young Adult Cancer Canada Shave for the Brave campaign. This is the second year Hockey NL has partnered with this important organization where Minor Chair, Kelly, shaved his head last season. Lee will be shaving his head on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 6:00 p.m. at the new Paradise Double Ice Complex in Paradise. Anyone wishing to support the cause, can donate through http://youngadultcancer.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=9778&mid=9&pid=2030265&sgid=145. Lee is aiming for $10,000 in pledges.

The President really encourages his membership to set aside this week to celebrate the game. “Minor Hockey Week is a tradition in our province for many, many years. We encourage our membership to highlight our great game in their communities during the week celebration and continue to recognize volunteers who give so freely of their time to allow our young boys and girls to play the game of hockey”, remarked Lee. Lee also acknowledged the positive partnership they have with Grant Thornton and how these type of partnerships assist with the delivery of programs in the province. “Without partners such as Grant Thornton and other local sponsors throughout our province, we wouldn’t be able to deliver the programs and services needed for our members”, said Lee.

About

Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador is the governing body of amateur hockey in the province; promoting, supervising and regulating competition in all recognized categories. The association currently has 45 minor hockey associations and over 12,000 registered players, coaches, managers and officials.

Grant Thornton LLP is a leading Canadian accounting and advisory firm providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations. Together with the Quebec firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton in Canada has approximately 4,000 people in offices across Canada. Grant Thornton LLP is a Canadian member of Grant Thornton International Ltd, whose member firms operate in close to 100 countries worldwide. Across Newfoundland and Labrador, Grant Thornton has six offices and a team of more than 100 partners and staff who understand the issues affecting our economy and communities.

CLICK HERE for a complete schedule of events happening during minor hockey week.

For more information please contact

Craig Tulk
Executive Director, Hockey NL
P.O. Box 176
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2A 2J4
[email protected]
709-489-5512 office
709-486-0442 cell
709-489-2273 fax