Discover teamed up with the National Hockey League (NHL®) today to surprise 100 members and their families at one of the 18 Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago with a visit from the most revered trophy in professional sports, The Stanley Cup®.

As part of its newly established partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, Discover, the Official Credit Card Partner of the NHL®, hosted a Safe Halloween costume and trick or treat party at the Club for members and their families. After kids arrived, Discover provided an early Halloween surprise as volunteers unveiled the Stanley Cup and helped the kids take group photos and participate in a hockey shootout game.

“Our kids are big sports fans and were so excited to be surprised by such an iconic trophy – getting to see, touch and take photos with the Stanley Cup was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said John Stephan, Club Director of Logan Square Boys & Girls Club. “We’re appreciative that Discover and the NHL have worked with us to highlight the ways in which sports and physical activity can benefit and enrich their lives.”

Discover surprised the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago yet again at the event today with a $25,000 donation, on top of a $75,000 donation earlier this year that kicked off the partnership as part of the company’s commitment to education. Discover’s partnership with the Club helps fund a youth reading program, technology upgrades and Club maintenance.

“As part of our partnership with the NHL, we’re fortunate each year to have access to the Stanley Cup and we couldn’t think of a better group to share it with than our new friends at Boys & Girls Club of Chicago,” said Matt Towson, senior manager of media relations and community affairs at Discover. “Interest in hockey and the Stanley Cup couldn’t be higher in Chicago and we’re grateful our partners at the NHL could help us to surprise the kids and teach them more about the game and its history.”

Discover has been an official partner with the NHL since 2010. The company’s commitment to the NHL provides opportunities to engage with U.S. hockey fans nationwide and develop exclusive hockey-themed rewards and experiences across special NHL events, including the upcoming 2014 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown™. Discover cardmembers also receive an exclusive discount when shopping on Shop.NHL.com.

“The National Hockey League is always looking to promote the ways in which hockey and other sports can provide kids with a way to stay fit, use time positively and develop social skills,” said Brian Cull, Group Vice President of Integrated Marketing, NHL. “We’re proud to team up with Discover today to bring the Stanley Cup to the Logan Square Boys and Girls Club and teach them more about the benefits of playing this great game.”

The Stanley Cup is the oldest and most recognized trophy in professional sports. It was crafted in Sheffield, England in the late 1800s and was first presented in 1893. It is the only trophy in professional sports that is passed along from player to player in the summer their team wins it. The Stanley Cup travels close to 300 days per year and has logged more than 800,000 miles in travel since the 2000-01 NHL season, including trips to Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Japan, Austria, Germany, Italy, England, Belarus, Ukraine, Belgium, Afghanistan, Dubai, France, the Bahamas and the Arctic Circle. It is made of silver and nickel alloy, weighs 35 pounds and stands at three feet tall. There is only one Stanley Cup, authenticated by the seal of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the bottom of the Cup. This seal can be seen when winning players lift the Cup over their heads.

Photos are available upon request. Please contact Matt Towson at matthewtowson@discover.com to obtain.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home loans, private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

About the NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters, vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year the NHL entertains more than 250 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 10 million fans on its social platforms; and more than 300 million fans online at NHL.com. In Canada, the 2014-15 season marks the beginning of a landmark 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement with Rogers Communications, which includes national rights to NHL games on all platforms in all languages. In the U.S., the NHL is in the fourth season of its 10-year agreement with NBC and NBCSN, the 10th consecutive season both networks have served as national television partners. The NHL is committed to giving back to the community with programs including: Hockey is for Everyone™, which supports nonprofit youth hockey organizations across North America; Hockey Fights Cancer™, raising money for local and national cancer organizations; NHL Green™, which is committed to pursuing sustainable business practices; and a partnership with the You Can Play Project, which is committed to supporting the LGBT community and fighting homophobia in sports. The NHL received three 2014 Sports Business Awards: “Sports League of the Year,” “Sports Executive of the Year” recognizing Commissioner Gary Bettman, and “Sports Event of the Year” for the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. For more information, visit NHL.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo and the NHL All-Star Game logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League.

© NHL 2014. All Rights Reserved.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago

Serving Chicago families since 1902, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) uses a comprehensive blend of mentoring and programming to provide youth ages 6 to 18 the tools they need to become well-rounded and successful adults. Filling the after-school hours, which can be the most dangerous for young people, BGCC offers academic, social, and leadership activities for students in some of Chicago’s most challenging neighborhoods. We match youth with professional adult mentors, giving kids a safe place to learn, grow, and succeed. Learn more: http://www.bgcc.org.