Hockey Legend to Join Irving Oil Challenge Cup

Release Date: March 28, 2011

Tournament Scheduled from March 31st to April 3rd

SAINT JOHN, NB — This year marks Irving Oil’s 20th year of support for the Irving Oil Challenge Cup. To celebrate, hockey legend Darryl Sittler will join this year’s tournament to cheer on the players and their families from across Atlantic Canada. Sittler, who attended the Irving Oil Challenge Cup in 1992, will be on hand to watch from the sidelines and give the keynote address at the event’s banquet.

“I was once one of these kids, giving everything I had to play the game and be the best,” said Sittler. “The Irving Oil Challenge Cup is their Stanley Cup. I am thrilled to be here with them. I hope that by talking to these young people they can see that anything is possible. You just need to work hard and never give up.”

The event, which runs from March 31st to April 3rd, 2011, brings together top‐level Bantam AAA hockey players from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador to compete for the Irving Oil Challenge Cup.

“We’re thrilled that Mr. Sittler will be joining us for this year’s tournament,” says Carolyn Van der Veen, Irving Oil. “Irving Oil has been a long time supporter and champion for young people and amateur hockey. For the past 20 years we have proudly sponsored the Irving Oil Challenge Cup because we believe in supporting young people and their families as they work to achieve athletic excellence. The Irving Oil Challenge Cup is an opportunity for players to showcase the skills they’ve developed on the road to this tournament. We know it takes commitment and perseverance to get to this level. These are the same values Irving Oil shares.”

The 20th Anniversary of the Irving Oil Challenge Cup will be the first event to take place at the qplex in Quispamsis, New Brunswick.

The Irving Oil Challenge Cup has been a launching point for many young players who’ve gone on to become hockey greats. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburg Penguins, Jon Sim of the New York Islanders and Colin White of the New Jersey Devils all competed in the Irving Oil Challenge Cup.

Five Atlantic Canadian teams have worked hard to earn their spot in the Irving Oil Challenge Cup this year. The following teams will compete for this year’s Cup:

  • KV Irving Oil Vito’s Rangers (Host Team)
  • Dieppe Irving Oil Flyers (New Brunswick Hockey)
  • Halifax Irving Oil Hawks (Hockey Nova Scotia)
  • St. Johns Irving Oil Canadian Tire (Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador)
  • Sherwood Irving Oil Falcons (Hockey Prince Edward Island)

Family and supporting communities are encouraged to participate in the Irving Oil Challenge Cup contest on Irving Oil’s Facebook page. When fans visit Irving Oil’s Facebook page to vote for their favourite team, they’ll help their province be one step closer to receiving $10,000 towards youth sports programs and have a chance to win a $2,000 Irving gift card for themselves.


About Irving Oil

Irving Oil was founded in 1924 and is a privately owned regional refining and marketing company with a history of long‐term partnerships and relationships. Irving Oil operates Canada’s largest refinery, in Saint John NB, which is located 65 miles north of the US border and has reached production rates in excess of 300,000 barrels per day. The refinery exports over 80 per cent of its production to the US and accounts for 75 per cent of Canada’s gasoline exports to the US and 19 per cent of all US gasoline imports. In 2003, Irving Oil became the first oil company to receive a US Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air Excellence Award, for its clean gasoline. For more information about Irving Oil, visit www.irvingoil.com

For more information, please contact:

Marie‐France LeBlanc
(902) 430‐6619
mariefleblanc@ns.sympatico.ca


Carolyn Van der Veen
Irving Oil
(506) 202‐1869
Carolyn.VanderVeen@irvingoil.com