St. Jacobs, ON, May 13, 2009 - Home Hardware Stores Limited is proud to announce its official support of the Make it Seven campaign. The campaign, led by Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie, will bring together hockey fans from across Canada to advocate for the addition of a seventh Canadian NHL team.
"As active members of more than 1,000 communities large and small across Canada, Home Hardware Owners and staff know how important hockey is to our national fabric," said Paul Straus, Vice-President and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Limited. "A new franchise will be a source of pride for all Canadians and we are excited by the possibility of creating more opportunities for Canada's best players to play on their home ice, in front of home-town fans."
Home Hardware Stores Limited has a strong history of supporting the development and future of hockey in Canada from local ice rinks to the world stage. Home Hardware is the official sponsor of the Canadian Hockey League, a sponsor of four Canadian NHL teams; the official sponsor of the World Junior Championships 2008; and past sponsor of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men's World Championships. Home Hardware's independent Dealer network support's hockey's future stars through their active involvement with hundreds of minor hockey teams and sponsorship of the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game for the past ten years.
"Throughout the year our Home Owners are busy helping Canadian homeowners with all their decorating to renovating needs, but when it comes time for hockey season, Home Hardware Dealers are proud to lend a hand and support our national pastime," continued Straus. "With our passion for the game and presence in communities across Canada, Home Hardware is an ideal supporter for Make it Seven. In the coming weeks our Dealers will be asking their staff, customers and neighbours to visit makeitseven.ca and show their support and belief that there is no better hockey market in the world than Canada."
Make it Seven was initiated on May 5th, 2009 when Jim Balsillie tabled an offer to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes and communicated his intent to bring the team to Southern Ontario.
"I am excited to move closer to bringing an NHL franchise to what I believe is one of the best un-served hockey markets in the world, Southern Ontario. A market with devoted hockey fans, a rich hockey history, a growing and diversified economy and a population of more than 7 million people," said Mr. Balsillie.
Click here to register at makeitseven.ca
About Home Hardware Stores Limited
Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada's largest independent hardware, lumber and building materials and furniture retailer with more than 1,000 stores across Canada, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners. Dealers have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products and the company has annual retail sales of $4.85 billion. The cooperative was founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers.
For more information please contact:
Rob WallaceHome Hardware Stores Limited
(519) 664-4710
rob.wallace@homehardware.ca
