Dresden Minor Hockey says it has recently received some help for families who can't get into hockey because they can't afford hockey equipment or are struggling to stay in the sport because of the high costs.
President Ian Avery told CK News Today the NHLPA Goals and Dreams grant, in coordination with former Dresden Minor Hockey player and current Leafs defenceman T.J. Brodie, has provided 25 full sets of equipment to new or existing players.
"Lots of good stuff happening in small centres!" Avery said.
Dresden Minor Hockey has also received one complete set of goalie equipment through Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).
"Having enough goalie gear is essential to both attracting players to the position and to the overall programming in general," he said. "As the OMHA has adopted cross and half ice hockey for U7, U8 and U9 it has exposed a need for using up to six sets of goaltender equipment on the ice at the same time, not to mention who may need it in the next time slot as well."
Avery noted that their base (U9 and below) is large enough to support the use of the six full sets of goalie equipment multiple times per week for the entire season.
He also said that Dresden's Minor Hockey registration numbers have held strong over the past few years.
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association offered 170 sets of free hockey equipment at the start of the season to reduce barriers and to encourage new families to try out the sport. Dresden Minor Hockey was one of 70 associations selected.
The OMHA said these programs make it easier for new hockey families to fall in love with the sport without facing any financial barriers or having to make the commitment of purchasing new equipment.
“Programs like Player Assist and Goalie Assist are crucial in helping our Associations remove some of the challenges in bringing young players into the game,” said OMHA Executive Director Ian Taylor. “We hope that these programs can help alleviate some stresses within our communities and encourage new families to try out hockey.”
