Fifteen lucky young Canadians converged in Calgary today to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime hockey clinic with hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Hayley Wickenheiser.

The Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids kicked off with breakfast and a motivational speech from Wickenheiser, captain of Canada’s Women’s team and two-time Olympic gold medalist.  Following breakfast, the day included five on-ice skills clinics and a scrimmage match with Gretzky and Wickenheiser, and off ice training with Hockey Canada Trainers.  Winners were also treated to one-on-one meet-and-greet sessions and had their photos taken with the hockey stars.

“At Samsung, we understand that passion for hockey begins at a very young age and we were overjoyed to provide this unique experience to 15 aspiring young hockey stars,” said Benjamin Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics Canada.  “The number of entries we received was overwhelming, and while there were many compelling submissions, we feel that the group today were deserving boys and girls that truly exemplify the meaning of sportsmanship, both on and off the ice.”

“I am thrilled to be a part of Team Samsung and to share my passion for hockey with people from across the country,” said Hayley Wickenheiser.  “As an aspiring young athlete, I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by people who provided the much-needed support and encouragement to get me where I am today.  It was a real honour to work with some of Canada’s youngest hockey enthusiasts, and I can only hope that my participation today helps inspire these kids to pursue their hopes and dreams.”

A panel of judges from Samsung and Hockey Canada selected the winning entries from hundreds of online submissions on the Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids website.  Earlier this fall, parents and guardians were invited to nominate their child (ages seven to 14) and, in 300 words or less, explain how he or she best exemplifies Samsung’s key hockey values – fair play, team work and skills improvement.  The winners and one parent/guardian received roundtrip airfare and accommodation in Calgary for the duration of their stay.

Winners were selected from coast-to-coast and include:

• Myah Bowal, Age 9, Terrace, BC
• Tyler Egglestone, Age 10, Whitehorse, YT
• Grady Franklin, Age 8, Deloraine, MB
• Abbey Franklin, Age 10, Deloraine, MB
• Cameron Harvey, Age 10, North Saanich, BC
• Matthew Hood, Age 10, Fredericton, NB
• Louis Larochelle, Age 10, Montreal, QC
• Nathan Ledbury-Swales, Age 11, Barrie, ON
• Cole McEachern, Age 13, Barrie, ON
• Lauren Pillisch, Age 12, Markdale, ON
• Lauren Pye, Age 7, Auburn, NS
• Rock Ruschowski, Age 12, Calgary, AB
• Catherine Turner, Age 13, Airdrie, AB
• Myriam Wright, Age 10, St-Jacques, NB
• Marissa Zuchetto, Age 10, Mississauga, ON

Along with the contest, the Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids website collected funds for Hockey Canada’s “Dream Come True” community initiative – a program that funds hockey fees and equipment purchases for underprivileged children across Canada.  Samsung matched every dollar donated and a total of $10,000.00 was raised.

The Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids is part of the company’s Team Samsung campaign.  Through the campaign, Samsung has partnered with an all-star line-up of hockey’s greatest players, including Wayne Gretzky, Hayley Wickenheiser and Jarome Iginla, to help make hockey more accessible to kids and to build excitement for the sport as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games approach.

Winners will attend one-day clinic with Gretzky & Wickenheiser

MISSISSAUGA, ON., October 8, 2009 —In Canada, hockey is not simply a sport; it lies at the very heart of what it means to be Canadian. As a long-time supporter of hockey and to help build excitement around Canada’s quest for gold in February, Samsung is about to give 15 youth (ages seven to 14) from across the country the opportunity to attend a one-day hockey clinic with Wayne Gretzky and Hayley Wickenheiser.

The Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids, will be held in Calgary in November and will give some of Canada’s young hockey fans the opportunity to spend a day with two of the game’s greats. The 15 hockey fanatics plus one parent chaperone will win an expense-paid trip to Calgary to enjoy a day of skills and drills run by Wickenheiser, Gretzky and Hockey Canada coaches.  While full details about the prize package are available on the contest website, it will also include a welcome gift, breakfast and a motivational speech from Wickenheiser and many additional elements.

“Samsung is thrilled to offer this once-in-a-lifetime experience for 15 deserving young hockey fans,” said Benjamin Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics Canada. “Samsung has a long-standing commitment to hockey through our relationship with Hockey Canada, Wayne and Hayley and as excitement grows leading into 2010, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our favourite winter sport.”

Samsung today launched a website (www.samsung.com/laceup) where parents/legal guardians can go online and, in 300 words or less, explain why their child deserves one of the 15 coveted slots. A panel of judges from Samsung and Hockey Canada will review the entries to determine the players that best exemplify Samsung’s key hockey values – fair play, team work and skills improvement.

“I’m excited to be teaming with Samsung and Wayne to create this great opportunity for a group of young hockey enthusiasts,” said Hayley Wickenheiser. “My involvement in and passion for the sport have offered me so many incredible opportunities, not the least of which has been representing my country on the world stage. I hope my involvement in this camp will help spark that competitive fire and desire to lead in the next generation of Canadian hockey stars.”

Along with the contest, the Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids website will strive to make hockey more accessible to unprivileged youth. Visitors to the site are encouraged to click and donate, with funds raised going to Hockey Canada’s “Dream Come True” community initiative. Through this program, underprivileged kids across Canada will be able to discover the excitement of the game by receiving a fully-funded season of hockey, complete with new equipment from head to toe. For every dollar donated during the entry portion of the contest, Samsung will match the amount, to a maximum of $10,000.

The Samsung Hockey Camp for Kids contest website is currently accepting entries. The contest closes on November 2, 2009 at 11:59:59 ET. The winners and one parent/guardian will be flown to Calgary where the camp will take place in late November. For additional contest rules and regulations, please visit www.samsung.com/laceup.
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About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. (SECA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., markets a broad range of award-winning digital consumer electronics, information systems, telecommunications and home appliance products.

SECA upholds Samsung’s mission to provide consumers with innovative digital convergence products that possess exceptional technology, quality, features, performance and value. The company oversees the Canadian operations of Samsung’s consumer electronics and home appliance division, as well as its wireless terminals and information technology division.

Samsung has been a global TOP sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1997 and has been a presenting sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay from 2004 to 2008.  Also through Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope charity, Samsung helps athletes and celebrities raise funds for their respective charities, including the Wayne Gretzky Foundation in Canada.  Samsung is also a proud sponsor of Hockey Canada, Stars on Ice, Toronto Football Club and is the official HDTV sponsor of the NFL.

For customer service inquiries, please call 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864), and for more information, please visit www.samsung.com.