June 18th, 2009

Make It Seven Day can be celebrated by any hockey fan, anywhere in Canada on Friday June 19. And by celebrating, fans will be helping raise money for minor hockey programs in their communities. The rallying cry is being supported by corporate partners Home Hardware, Prime Restaurants, Labatt Blue, DEWALT, and FirstOntario Credit Union.

Make It Seven day plans include:

  • A City of Hamilton fan rally from 12-1:30 p.m. EST at Jackson Square in downtown Hamilton, directly behind the proposed new home of the team, Copps Coliseum. Download a poster to show your support.

  • Home Hardware (www.homehardware.ca) stores across Canada will help raise funds for local minor hockey. Consumers will be invited to make a donation to a local minor hockey program and will receive a "Make it Seven" decal to show their support;

  • FirstOntario Credit Union (www.firstontariocu.com) is holding barbeques at 17 branches Friday and Saturday to raise money for minor hockey teams, while distributing T-shirts and pins to fans who participate

  • All guests who order a Labatt Blue at a participating Prime Restaurants (www.primerestaurants.com) location (e.g. Casey's Grill * Bar, East Side Mario's, Fionn MacCool's, Darcy McGee's, Paddy Flaherty's and Tir Nan Og) will receive a colourful "Make It Seven" bumper sticker;

  • The Labatt Blue Facebook Contest (www.facebook.com/labattblue) offers fans a chance to win season tickets for team's inaugural season;

  • Prizes and gift cards from DEWALT (www.dewalt.com), Prime Restaurants and Home Hardware are available to win on select radio stations across the country;

  • FirstOntario Credit Union, DEWALT, Prime Restaurants, Labatt and Home Hardware are supporting the rally in Hamilton.

"It all adds up. We have a market that is crying out for an NHL franchise, great fans, a plan for a state-of-the-art arena and tremendous corporate support from Home Hardware, Labatt Blue, Prime Restaurants, DEWALT and FirstOntario Credit Union," said Balsillie.

In addition, Make It Seven Day offers fans a chance to "pick their starting lineup" through an interactive e-card available at dreamline.makeitseven.ca to send to friends, family or co-workers. Fans can play the part of GM and coach as they build their own team of beer-leaguers and all stars.

Fans can draft six friends and forward them the customized e-card with a picture of their friends' names emblazoned on Make It Seven hockey jerseys, to mark Make It Seven Day in Canada.