When I was 4 years old, my parents gave me the awesome opportunity to go to a learn to skate practice at my local rink. This practice was the single most important thing that had ever happened to me. For the last 16 years, I have been fortunate enough to play the sport of hockey, having skated most of my childhood and transitioning into goalie. However, this would not have been possible without the help of our local community.

My two brothers and I grew up playing for at a local YMCA hockey program, from the beginning of grade-school all the way into high school. This league was created specifically for kids and families who could not afford traditional costs for club hockey. The league created a safe environment and a great culture for kids to learn how to play hockey. The coolest aspect of the league was the goalie situation. The YMCA collected a stockpile of goalie gear donated from local families and allowed every single player to try goalie at least once during the season. I still remember the first time I got to strap on the pads, and this experience changed my life.

If not for community generosity and a local program helping those in need, I would have never gotten the opportunity to play a sport that has defined my life. This is why I created Hockey Gear For All: to use the knowledge, resources, and experience this sport has given me and pour that back into kids, to give them same opportunity I was fortunate enough to have.