By Hockey Saskatchewan

LAMPMAN, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Hockey Association, in cooperation with SaskEnergy, announced today SaskEnergy’s three-year commitment to stay on as title sponsor of SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.  The event takes place January 16 – 18, 2009, in communities across the province.  The host community for this year’s event is Lampman, where they are currently raising funds for the installation of a cement floor for their arena.

“The SHA is extremely pleased with the commitment from SaskEnergy to the partnership celebrating the great game of hockey across the province of Saskatchewan,” says Kelly McClintock, General Manager of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association.  “The event was a tremendous success in its inaugural phase last year, and we certainly hope to see that same success and more this year.  We are extremely excited to provide all minor hockey associations across the province an opportunity to focus on the game and to raise funds for their respective local arenas.”

The event takes place the third Saturday in January annually with January 17^th, 2009, being this season’s date.  The SHA chooses one community annually to serve as the Provincial host of the event and for this year’s event Lampman has been selected. One of the criteria for the selection of the Provincial host is that there must be an arena renovation or building project.  The Town of Lampman is raising funds for the installation of a cement floor for their arena.

The main theme of SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan is to promote the game of hockey and to build community spirit by making the arena the focal point of activity for the day or the weekend. The SHA is encouraging every minor hockey association to hold an event in their own community for SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.  This promotion is to provide associations a platform from which to raise funds to keep the rinks alive and well in all communities, both big and small.

Also incorporated into the event is the SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award.  The SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award is available to be presented to an individual who has provided outstanding service as a volunteer to the local hockey community, either as a coach, an official, a team manager, or an association organizer.  The presentation of these awards is to occur during the local SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan celebration activities.