TORONTO, June 2 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire Corporation Limited (CTC, CTC.a) will enter the auction to secure hockey legend Paul Henderson's 1972 Summit Series jersey for the benefit of all Canadians with an opening bid of $200,000 (CDN). The jersey is currently up for auction with international bidders vying for the priceless piece of Canadian history.

If successful in securing the jersey for Canadians, Canadian Tire will take the jersey on tour in every corner of the country through its 480 store network and make it available for the public to see. Following the cross-country tour, Canadian Tire will offer the jersey on a long-term loan basis to leading sports and hockey museums including the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame for the benefit of all Canadians.

"Canadian Tire has been part of our country's fabric for almost 90 years. Hockey is part of that fabric and Canada's game. We are Canada's hockey store. That is Canada's hockey jersey - and we want to help bring it home for the enjoyment of all Canadians," said Mike Arnett, President of Canadian Tire Retail.

Canadian Tire will register and post its opening bid with the auction house tomorrow. The Company will not discuss its bidding strategy between now and the auction's close on June 22nd for obvious competitive reasons, but wanted to demonstrate its seriousness to protect this Canadian icon.