The Canadian company has signed an extension for an undisclosed number of years to an agreement which originally began in 2007. In addition to being the official bank of the NHL, Players’ Association (NHLPA) and NHL Alumni, Scotiabank has partnerships with four Canadian teams in the shape of the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs. It is also the title sponsor of Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.
“We have really enjoyed our work over the past five years with the NHL and have leveraged this partnership as Canada's Hockey Bank to create some great fan experiences for our customers and the communities where we live, work and play,” said Anatol von Hahn, Scotiabank group head for Canadian banking. “On behalf of Scotiabank hockey fans from coast to coast, I am very pleased to be continuing in our role as the official bank of the NHL. We look forward to bringing Canadians more new and unique hockey experiences.”
John Collins, chief operating officer of the NHL, added: “Scotiabank has a long history of supporting hockey on all levels in communities across Canada, and we have been proud to be their partner on very innovative and exciting grassroots hockey experiences over the past five years. These community-based hockey programmes enrich the lives of NHL fans and hockey enthusiasts from coast to coast.”
In other news, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has expressed his hope that the League can avoid the labour strife that last year hit the National Football League and National Basketball Association. With the NHL’s current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set to expire on September 15, talks between the team owners and the NHLPA will begin this week. The process is reportedly likely to prove far from smooth and the NHLPA has already fired an early warning shot. Earlier this month the NHL was forced to drop its realignment plan after the Players Association rejected the proposal by citing concerns regarding increased travel and the playoff format.
NHL officials have clear memories of the impact of failed CBA negotiations after the League lost its entire 2004-05 season to a lockout. Bettman, speaking at the League’s All-Star Weekend on Saturday, said: “My hope is that we can reason together and that collective bargaining will be painless and quiet and quick. That would serve everyone's best interest.”