Staying Atop the Hockey World Takes More Than Hard Work

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Apr 1, 2014) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwired.

No one sweats hockey like Canada does. That's why Gatorade and Hockey Canada will be assembling 110 of minor hockey's top coaches and trainers for the second annual Gatorade High Performance Hockey Summit at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Their mission? -- Exchange knowledge that improves the game of hockey and optimizes player performance, keeping Canada ahead of growing international competition.

The day-long summit will feature a "who's who" of Canadian hockey, including four-time Team Canada gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser, Stanley Cup winner and two-time Team Canada Gold Medalist Chris Pronger, and world-class experts in the areas of training and development, player psychology, and nutrition and hydration.

"To become successful, players don't need to develop just their on-ice skills, they need to develop good habits off the ice as well -- everything from training to nutrition," said Paul Carson, Vice President of Player Development, Hockey Canada. "We're excited to partner with Gatorade Canada and benefit from their commitment to working with coaches, trainers, parents and players to make sure everyone involved in the game is educated, allowing minor hockey to continue to grow and prosper across the country."

"We couldn't be happier to work with partners like Hockey Canada to ensure that Canada remains atop the hockey ladder. Our purpose at Gatorade is to elevate the performance of Canada's athletes," said Shirley Mukerjea, Director of Marketing, Gatorade Canada. "The Hockey Summit explores player performance in all aspects of the game. Gatorade brings our 49 years of sports science research and expertise to build an understanding that proper hydration and nutrition is an essential part of reaching athletic goals."

According to research conducted by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), the average hockey player loses approximately one-and-a-half liters of sweat every hour on the ice. But, many athletes do not replenish the fluid that is lost, causing dehydration. Even mild dehydration can affect athletic performance.

"Reaching and maintaining peak performance levels isn't solely dependent on training," said Dr. Lawrence Spriet, Professor and Chair, Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph. "Proper hydration and fueling with carbohydrates is critical to hockey performance."

About Gatorade Canada

The Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo (PEP), provides sports performance innovations designed to meet the needs of athletes at all competitive levels and across a broad range of sports. Gatorade Thirst Quencher® is backed by more than 40 years of research and is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, and provide carbohydrate energy to support athletic performance. Gatorade has been a partner of Hockey Canada for 26 years, the NHL for 8 years, and the CHL for 26 years. Follow Gatorade Canada online:

• Facebook.com/GatoradeCanada

• Twitter.com/GatoradeCanada

• #GatoradeHockey

About Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 provincial branch associations of over 700,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada, provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast, manages numerous regional, national and international hockey championships and events, and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international hockey competition. Hockey Canada's mission is to "lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences."

About PepsiCo Beverages Canada

PepsiCo Beverages Canada (PBC), a business unit of PepsiCo Canada ULC, manufactures, distributes, markets and sells a broad range of beverages. Employing approximately 5,000 associates across the country, PepsiCo Beverages Canada's beverage portfolio of brands includes Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, 7UP, Aquafina, Lipton, Tropicana and Gatorade. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.ca Follow PepsiCo Beverages Canada online:

• Facebook.com/PepsiCanada

• Twitter.com/PepsiCA