World Cup of Hockey 2016 Legacy Project unveiled

TORONTO - The multicultural city of Toronto, host city of the World Cup of Hockey 2016, was a fitting backdrop for the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL) to unveil the World Cup of Hockey 2016 Legacy Project. Within Toronto's diverse population of 2.79 million (5.5 million in the Greater Toronto Area) half of the city's residents were born outside of Canada*. The 2016 Legacy Project supports recent immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers - new Canadians - using hockey to adapt into their new communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
"This ceremony provides yet another point of connection between a great country and its great sport," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "At World Cup of Hockey 2016, where players and fans from so many nations gather, hockey is a universal language and a unifying force. No matter your country of birth, no matter which native language you speak or read, hockey bonds people throughout the world -- and today, in the home of hockey, this ceremony helps that bond grow even stronger."

"Hockey is central to the cultural fabric of Canada, and is enjoyed by fans the world over", said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. "We are proud that the World Cup of Hockey 2016, and the game itself, could be a part of such a special day in the lives of these 102 new Canadians."
Together with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the NHLPA and NHL celebrated the Legacy Project by welcoming 102 new Canadians at a special swearing-in ceremony. Presiding official and Order of Canada Cassie Campbell-Pascall administered the oath of citizenship. Swedish-born NHL alumnus Daniel Alfredsson - Team Sweden senior advisor and the Ottawa Senators' longest-serving captain - was one of the 102 new Canadians sworn-in. For a new Canadian, the citizenship ceremony marks their formal entry into the Canadian family. Standing next to friends, family, and members of the hockey community, the new Canadians joined together to sing 'O Canada' for the first time as Canadian citizens, dressed in World Cup of Hockey Team Canada jerseys, at the centre of the largest gathering for hockey fans, the Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village.
View *Facebook Live* swearing-in ceremony
"Today we welcomed 102 of Canada's newest citizens to our Team Canada," said John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. "We are honoured to work with organizations like the NHL and NHLPA to celebrate Canadian citizenship at special events such as the World Cup of Hockey. These activities increase awareness among new and established Canadians of the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen of Canada."
With generous contributions from partners Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), Scotiabank, ESPN, and Hockey Canada, the World Cup of Hockey 2016 Legacy Project aims to make hockey - the official winter sport of Canada - accessible to all Canadians. Elements of the 2016 Legacy Project include:
• MLSE Launchpad: Located in Toronto's Moss Park, this 42,000 square-foot facility will provide access to more hockey programming, including 'Learn to Play Ball Hockey,' when it officially opens in January 2017. Building on essential skills - confidence, team work, and problem solving - access to hockey programming will help more than 200,000 under-serviced youth in the surrounding area.
• Scotiabank Sport Pad: A feature at Fan Village, this multi-purpose sport pad will be donated to Scarborough Village servicing the approx. 6,000 youth within the community, providing a space to play and learn ball hockey.
• Hockey Canada Community Caravan: A caravan will bring 'Learn-to-Skate' and 'Learn-to-Play' programs directly to the community. Stopping at locations including schools, community centres, and at community events, the caravan will introduce new Canadians to floorball, ball hockey, and ice hockey.

"MLSE is very pleased to be able to partner with the NHL and NHLPA to host the World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre and to play a role in this legacy project that will have such a positive impact in our community and on the great game of hockey," said Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of the Board at MLSE. "We're thrilled to welcome 102 new Canadians today as we celebrate our passion for the game, but also our commitment to giving back to make our community a better place for future generations."
"Scotiabank is a committed supporter of hockey at every level, including our sponsorship of over 8,000 kids' community hockey teams across Canada," said Jacqueline Ryan, Vice President of Sponsorship Marketing and Philanthropy at Scotiabank. "Donating the Scotiabank Sport Pad allows us to share our passion for the sport and to inspire a new generation of players to achieve their hockey dreams."
"Sports are an incredible unifier, and we're so proud to support the NHL and NHLPA's Legacy Project to help 'new Canadians' adapt to their community using hockey as a successful bridge," said Kevin Martinez, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship at ESPN. "We are committed to not only ensuring everyone has access to sports, but that they can use sports as a tool for empowerment as well - this program is the perfect combination of these goals."
"Part of our mandate at Hockey Canada - and a personal passion of mine - is to grow the game by getting more Canadians playing, coaching, and volunteering in hockey. We welcome the opportunity to work with the NHL and NHLPA to bring the Try Hockey caravan to communities in the GTA," said Tom Renney, President and CEO, Hockey Canada. "I believe that hockey is about more than on-ice skills - the life-lessons we take away from the game are what make great citizens."
The Legacy Initiative is an ongoing philanthropic endeavor to support community organizations in the host city of an event.