From player appearances to community initiatives

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators are eight weeks into the NHL schedule but the team's year-long agenda continues with community outreach programs throughout the National Capital Region, which include the popular Sens@School programs, Bell First Skills Challenge and numerous Spartacat appearances.

The following is a look at the Ottawa Senators' community schedule from Friday, Nov. 25, to Thursday, Dec. 1.

MINOR HOCKEY PROGRAMS
Bell Skills First Challenge
Saturday, Nov. 26 (12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau
The Gatineau Olympiques will provide each Bell Skills First Challenge participant with a complimentary ticket to their game versus the Val-d'Or Foreurs, with the puck dropping at 4p.m.

The Bell Skills First Challenge hosts a series of regional qualifying events, where more than 80 players from 10 different atom-aged teams compete for the right to qualify for the Bell Skills First Challenge finals to be held at the Corel Centre on Saturday, Jan. 28. The 2005-06 Bell Skills First Challenge provides atom-aged players with the opportunity to compete against their peers in various skill challenges. The top five house-league and competitive players will participate alongside the Senators and in front of thousands of fans during the Bell Sens SuperSkills competition.

SPARTACAT VISITS
Sunday, Nov. 27 - Book Fair at Lansdowne Park (Assembly Hall) in Ottawa
Friday, Dec. 2 - Midway Family Fun Park's 14th anniversary celebration in Ottawa
Saturday, Dec. 3 - Downtown Brockville

SENS @ SCHOOL
Read to Succeed
Monday, Nov. 28 (1 p.m.)
École Du Bois Joli in Gatineau - Read to Succeed Sparty Party with Antoine Vermette

Antoine Vermette will join Sparty and the class at École Du Bois Joli in Gatineau at 1:30 p.m. to read a story and answer questions from the class. Prior to Vermette joining the class, Sparty will kick off his party by providing pizza and drinks for lunch.

Each month the Ottawa Senators randomly select six classes that achieved their reading goals and reward them with a Sparty Party, which includes a pizza lunch courtesy of Pizza Pizza, juice from Coca-Cola, books from Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's and prizing courtesy of the club. Once a month, one class receives a surprise visit from a Senators player and each week Spartacat visits schools as part of the Scotiabank Read to Succeed program and other Sens@School programs.

OTTAWA SENATORS FOUNDATION
50-50 draw
The Ottawa Senators Foundation 50-50 Draw presented by the Ottawa Citizen has raised close to $250,000, giving away a record $10,700 to a lucky winner at the Nov. 19 game against the New Jersey Devils. Proceeds from the 50-50 draw go to support community-based registered charities in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. A total of 35 volunteers help with the draw at each game.

Online auction
The online auction for Roger's House presented by The Bear 106.9 remains active. An array of autographed items from both sports and entertainment personalities, as well as various entertainment packages are still available. The auction closes on Tuesday, Nov.29, and proceeds will benefit the Ottawa Senators Foundation for Roger's House and the Ottawa District Hockey Association. Fans can visit www.ottawasenators.com to access the auction.

SENS HOCKEY COUNTRY SHOW
Monday, Nov. 28 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
The Prior Sports Bar, 39 Winners Circle Dr. in Arnprior
Guests: Chris Phillips and Christoph Schubert

The TEAM 1200 broadcasts the Sens Hockey Country Show live on location at various local Molson Star Bars. Fans have the opportunity to see their Ottawa Senators players.

Dates and times of are subject to change. Please contact the Ottawa Senators media relations department prior to your visit at any of our community events.

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