TORONTO – Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky officially joined the Roots Athletics team, Team Roots, this week. Recently he met with Roots Co-founders Michael Budman and Don Green in Toronto at Gretzky’s Restaurant to launch the first stage in a major four-year collaboration.

Gretzky, who is a longtime friend of Roots, is the focus of a new line of apparel created in his honour that will hit Roots stores coast to coast soon. It is being launched now to support Hockey Canada and Canada’s national hockey teams.

The Roots Wayne Gretzky line consists of custom-designed jackets, sweatshirts, T-shirts, toques, and hats. Made entirely in Canada, the apparel is predominantly in black with a gold trim and features a special crest and graphics.

The graphics in the line were inspired by several sources including the Team Canada jersey from the 1956 Olympics in Cortina, the last time the Winter Olympics took place in Italy; the Torino city logo; and the Alps.

Roots will donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of these items to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, which provides less fortunate youth with the opportunity to experience the sport of hockey.

“Wayne is a natural leader of the Roots athletics team, Team Roots, and a great ambassador for our company,” says Roots Co-founder Michael Budman. “Both on and off the ice, he exemplifies the best of Canada and the heritage of Roots. Don and I have known Wayne for a long time and he’s always shown himself to be a first class individual.”

In his new role at Roots, Gretzky will take part in various Roots events and charitable endeavours in addition to appearing in advertising and other marketing material.

For further information, contact:
Robert Sarner,
Director of Communication and Public Affairs
416-781-3574 ext 4280
E-mail : rsarner@roots.com

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