MARKHAM, ON, - As the 2010/2011 hockey season comes to an end, the Hyundai Hockey Nation national tour also concludes with the delivery of seven vehicles donated by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. to local minor hockey associations as part of a fundraising effort. With the Hyundai vehicles as a grand prize, minor hockey associations were able to raise a total of $130,000 through the sale of raffle tickets in their local community.
The Hyundai Hockey Nation was a seven city national tour that celebrated and supported minor hockey. The tour also included coaching and player clinics with a focus on helping kids develop better hockey skills to play both smarter and safer hockey. A total of 2,918 kids took part in the clinics led by high-profile professionals such as Ken Hitchcock, Ron Davidson and PJ Stock.
"Our goal for the Hyundai Hockey Nation program was two-fold," said John Vernile, Vice President of Marketing at Hyundai Canada. "We wanted kids across the country to have the unique opportunity to learn from experienced professionals on how to elevate their game. We also wanted to help alleviate some of the burden minor hockey associations experience in trying to conduct fundraising programs. By hosting nearly 3,000 kids at the clinics and raising more than $130,000 through the raffles, Hyundai is very pleased with the positive impact we've had in supporting minor hockey."
All funds raised by the community in the raffle were kept with the community to support minor hockey and local hockey programs. The tour visited Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax. A Hyundai vehicle was donated in each city.
Vernile added the company is looking forward to the 2011/2012 season and how it can do more for minor hockey. "In our first year of the Hyundai Hockey Nation program, we set a great benchmark. But, it's time for us to elevate our own game. I think we can aim even higher in next year's program by raising more money for local minor hockey and bringing our hockey clinics to even more players and coaches across Canada."
