Becomes Official Bank of the CHL

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX:CM) (NYSE: CM) and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) are proud to announce an exciting new partnership, as CIBC becomes the Official Bank of the CHL, and its three regional leagues, Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

This new five-year deal includes sponsorship of 23 CHL teams, title sponsorship of the Canada Russia Series, and associate sponsorship of the Mastercard Memorial Cup and the CHL Top Prospects Game. As part of its partnership with the world's largest development league, CIBC is also providing financial management, advice and banking resources to the CHL and will support the CHL's scholarship program.

"The Canadian Hockey League is proud to welcome CIBC to the CHL family," says CHL President David Branch. "It's exciting to partner with an organization who shares our goals of supporting youth and being active in communities across Canada. CIBC's commitment to our teams and to the CIBC Canada Russia Series will help us showcase some of the best Major Junior players in the world to hockey fans across the country."

Leveraging the CHL's national scope and local in-market presence, CIBC will activate the sponsorship at various opening week games in 23 communities across Canada, beginning September 22-30 and continuing throughout the season. CIBC will also work with KidSport, a national non-profit that encourages kids to get active, as part of the sponsorship activation.  

"What attracted us to this organization is its community focus and ability to bring Canadians together in passion and spirit and we're excited to be part of that energy in 23 markets from Kelowna to Cape Breton," says Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CIBC. "We are proud to welcome the CHL as a new CIBC client, and look forward to working with them to continue building strong Canadian communities."

The 2016-17 CHL season begins on Wednesday September 21 in the OHL, with the QMJHL and WHL opening action on Thursday and Friday nights respectively. The 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series takes place November 7-17 and features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. The six game series includes stops in Prince George, BC, Edmonton, AB, North Bay, ON, Hamilton, ON, Chicoutimi, QC, and Baie-Comeau, QC.

CIBC sponsored CHL teams:

CIBC has a long history of supporting its communities through sponsorship programs such as CIBC Run for the Cure which, in its 20^th year on October 2 will impact over 60 communities across Canada. CIBC's partnership with the CHL will also complement other recently formed partnerships including with Connor McDavid, who earned CHL Player of the Year honours in 2015, and Ottawa 2017, a yearlong celebration for Canada and CIBC's shared 150^th birthday in 2017.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets - CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre/ or by following on Twitter @CIBC, Facebook (www.facebook.com/CIBC) and Instagram @CIBCNow.

About the Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is the world's largest development hockey league with 52 Canadian and eight American teams participating in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. CHL players graduate from high school at a rate higher than the Canadian national average.  More than nine million fans annually attend CHL games during the regular season, playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup. The CHL is the number one supplier of talent to the National Hockey League (NHL) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).

SOURCE CIBC