The Home Depot Expands Commitment to

Addition of nine new teams to its Community Hockey Program brings total to 56 –

The Home Depot announced that it is expanding its Community Hockey Program to include nine new Junior hockey teams from communities across Canada. With the addition of these teams, The Home Depot now supports 56 Junior, Canadian University and American Hockey league teams coast-to-coast with funding and volunteer support for local community hockey events and initiatives.

"Whether funding community-run coaching clinics or helping to re-build local rinks, The Home Depot is proud to have been a part of community hockey in Canada for more than fifteen years and to now expand our commitment to include nine new teams," said Peg Hunter, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Home Depot Canada. "Supporting high level hockey in the communities we serve allows us to build strong relationships with our customers, while giving back in a meaningful way."

The newest members of The Home Depot’s Community Hockey Program include Junior hockey teams located in Port Alberni, BC; Campbell River, BC; Collingwood, ON; Cowichan, BC; Halifax, NS; Mississauga, ON; Montreal, QC; Okotoks, BC; and Sarnia, ON. As part of the program, each team will be paired with a local The Home Depot store and will work together to bring the partnership to life through Backyard Rink Contests, On the Bench know-how coaching clinics and innovative in-arena experiences for fans.

Highlighting the importance of community hockey to Canadians, close to nine million fans attended Junior hockey games across the country in 2008; more than the combined attendance of all six Canadian NHL teams.

"From Junior to university leagues across Canada, community hockey is a source of pride for the communities we serve," added Hunter. "Through The Home Depot’s Community Hockey program we are proud to help build home teams in Canadian towns and cities, while supporting an important piece of Canadian culture."

The Home Depot is proud to support the following community hockey teams:

Partner team Location League
Abbotsford Heat Abbotsford, BC American Hockey League (AHL)
Alberni Valley Bulldogs Port Alberni, BC British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) (Junior)
Barrie Colts Barrie, ON Ontario Hockey League (OHL) (Major Junior)
Belleville Bulls Belleville, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Brampton Battalion Brampton, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Brandon Wheat Kings Brandon, MB Western Hockey League (WHL) (Major Junior)
Campbell River Storm Campbell River, BC Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL)
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Cape Breton, NS Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) (Major Junior)
Collingwood Blues Collingwood, ON Ontario Junior Hockey League
Cowichan Valley Capitals Duncan, BC BCHL (Junior)
Edmonton Oil Kings Edmonton, AB WHL (Major Junior)
Grande Prairie Storm Grand Prairie, AB Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) (Junior)
Guelph Storm Guelph, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Halifax Mooseheads Halifax, NS QMJHL (Major Junior)
Hamilton Bulldogs Hamilton, ON AHL
Kamloops Blazers Kamloops, BC WHL (Major Junior)
Kelowna Rockets Kelowna, BC WHL (Major Junior)
Kingston Frontenacs Kingston, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Kitchener Rangers Kitchener, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Kootenay Ice Kootenay, BC WHL (Major Junior)
Lakehead Thunderwolves Thunder Bay, ON Canadian Interuniversity (CIS)
Langley Chiefs Langley, BC BCHL (Junior)
Lethbridge Hurricanes Lethbridge, AB WHL (Major Junior)
Lloydminster Bobcats Lloydminster, AB AJHL (Junior)
London Knights London, ON OHL (Junior)
Manitoba Moose Winnipeg, MB AHL
Medicine Hat Tigers Medicine Hat, AB WHL (Major Junior)
Mississauga St. Michaels Majors Mississauga, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Junior de Montreal Verdun, QC QMJHL (Major Junior)
Niagara Ice Dogs St. Catharines, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Newmarket Hurricanes Newmarket, ON Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL) (Junior)
North Bay Trappers North Bay, ON Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL)
Okotoks Oilers Okotoks, AB AJHL (Junior)
Oshawa Generals Oshawa, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Ottawa 67’s Ottawa, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Owen Sound Attack Owen Sound, ON OHL (Major Junior)
P.E.I. Rockets Charlottetown, PEI QMJHL (Major Junior)
Pembroke Lumber Kings Pembroke, ON Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL)
Peterborough Petes Peterborough, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Prince George Cougars Prince George, BC WHL (Major Junior)
Red Deer Rebels Red Deer, AB WHL (Major Junior)
Regina Pats Regina, SK WHL (Major Junior)
Saint John Sea Dogs Saint John, NB QMJHL (Major Junior)
Sarnia Sting Sarnia, ON OHL (Major Junior)
Sarnia Legionnaires Sarnia, ON Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL)
Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon, SK WHL (Major Junior)
Seguin Bruins Parry Sound, ON CCHL (Junior)
Soo Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie, ON OHL (Major Junior)
St Jerome Panthers St. Jerome, QC Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (QJAAAHL)
Sudbury Wolves Sudbury, ON OHL (Major Junior)
UNB Athletics Fredericton, NB CIS
Vancouver Giants Vancouver, BC WHL (Major Junior)
Vernon Vipers Vernon, BC WHL (Major Junior)
Victoriaville Tigres Victoriaville, QC QMJHL (Major Junior)
Westside Warriors Kelowna, BC BCHL (Junior)
Windsor Spitfires Windsor, ON OHL (Major Junior)

About The Home Depot
Founded in 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia, The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer, currently operating 2,240 stores, including 179 The Home Depot stores across Canada. In fiscal 2008, The Home Depot had sales of $71.3 billion and earnings from continuing operations of $2.3 billion. The Company employs more than 300,000 people, including more than 28,000 Canadians.