Tim Hortons is pleased to announce that it has reached a five-year sponsorship deal that will see Canada's largest coffee and fresh baked goods chain become the sponsor of CBC's Hockey Month in Canada and the annual Hockey Day in Canada celebration.

Ron MacLean and Don Cherry will be hosting this year's Hockey Day in Canada events from Iqaluit beginning at noon ET on Saturday, February 15, featuring live remotes from across the country as local CBC reporters examine hockey's place in our communities.

"Becoming the sponsor of CBC's Hockey Month and Hockey Day in Canada was a natural fit for us," says Ken Broderick, Hockey Development Manager, Tim Hortons. "Not only is hockey such a fundamental part of Canada's culture, it's also an important part of Tim Hortons heritage - it's where we came from."

"We are extremely proud to have our key partner Tim Hortons be a sponsor of CBC's 4th Annual Hockey Day in Canada," says Doug Brooks, CBC's Chief Marketing & Sales Officer. "The strategy is to leverage the power of these two exciting brands through a unique programming initiative that celebrates Our Game at the grass roots level."

From organized tournaments to the recreational game, Hockey Day in Canada's four-hour extravaganza is about awareness of amateur programs, evaluating the evolution of hockey and recognizing individuals who have dedicated themselves to teaching, maintaining and improving our game. Starting at 4 p.m. ET, as is customary on Hockey Day in Canada, CBC's Hockey Night in Canada presents an all-Canadian tripleheader.

A highlight of Hockey Day in Canada features Timbits players touring the Bell Centre in Montreal, visiting the Canadiens' dressing room plus a rinkside view of the pre-game warm up prior to the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Montreal Canadiens. There will also be a Timbits Minor Hockey game between the first and second periods of the NHL game with Hockey Night in Canada's Steve Armitage interviewing one of the Timbits players following the scrimmage.

The Timbits Minor Hockey Program was introduced over 10 years ago in Moncton, New Brunswick, and has grown to include over 50,000 kids across Canada. These entry-level players, between the ages of four and nine years old, learn the basic skills of the game, fair play and, above all else, that the first goal is having fun.

Hockey Day in Canada will also broadcast LIVE from Summerside, P.E.I.; Quebec City; London, Ontario; New Liskeard, Ontario, and Port Alberni, B.C. Scott Russell and Kelly Hrudey will host Game three of the tripleheader and After Hours from Medicine Hat, Alberta.

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