Wapekeka gets donated hockey gear

Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Steve Montador recently visited Wapekeka to announce the donation of 50 brand-new sets of hockey equipment for the community’s youth.
“It was nice when he came around – I got his autograph,” said Gordon McKay, a youth worker in Wapekeka.
Montador also visited with the youth in the community, signed autographs and posed for photographs.
“The only thing we didn’t do was pull out the red carpet,” McKay said.
The hockey equipment is being provided by a fund through the National Hockey League Players’ Association. The equipment will support children and youth involved in Right To Play’s Hockey For Development initiative, a part of the PLAY (Promoting Life-Skills in Aboriginal Youth) Program. Right to Play is an international organization that uses sport and play to increase child develoment.
“After seeing the impact of Right To Play’s programs in Tanzania, I’m looking forward to helping make an impact here in Canada,” said Montador, a Right To Play athlete ambassador since 2007. “With incredible support from the NHLPA, I believe we can make a difference through hockey-building life-skills and increasing hope, while also providing access to necessary equipment these children and youth might not otherwise receive.”
McKay is looking forward to the beginning of the Hockey For Development module of the PLAY Program in October for both youth and coaches. Children and youth will have access hockey equipment, learn hockey skills, and gain life skills through the program, while coaches will take a training program that provides access to the Hockey Canada certification.
McKay welcomed the donated hockey equipment. He said hockey equipment is expensive in Wapekeka, with hockey gloves going for about $200.
Julia Porter, deputy director for education and Aboriginal initiatives at Right To Play, said the donation to Wapekeka will inspire kids to get active.
“There are so many children and youth in Wapekeka First Nation who want to participate in hockey programs but are limited by their lack of equipment,” Porter said. “The NHLPA’s generosity will have a long-term impact and we are deeply grateful.”
Over the past 11 years, NHL players have donated more than $20 million to help grassroots hockey programs around the world in places such as Australia, South Africa, Europe, Malaysia and North America.
Right to Play and the Ontario government recently announced the Youth Leadership component of the PLAY program would be expanded into 30 additional First Nation communities over the next year through $1 million in provincial funding.
Youth leadership training workshops were piloted in Moose Cree First Nation last year, with workshops aimed at inspiring and motivating youth to lead cultural and sporting events, building relationships with Elders and other community members, and planning activities to help address local social issues.