Police, NHLPA help kids get into hockey
A dream came true for two dozen youngsters from Deux-Montagnes as they practised at the Canadiens’ training facility in Brossard in new equipment donated by the NHL Players’ Association.
The youngsters, introduced to the sport through a program organized by the Deux-Montagnes police force, were the beneficiaries of a grant from the NHL PA’ s Goals and Dreams program, which has distributed more than $23 million of equipment since it was established in 1999. The Deux-Montagnes program meets the NHLPA’s goal of helping kids who might not have the opportunity to play the game.
“Three years ago, we had a vision to create a program which would allow youngsters to develop their lifelong skills of leadership and to work on their self-esteem,” said Christopher Harding, a socio-community officer with the Deux-Montagnes police.
“The Goals and Dreams program has the same objectives working through hockey and we’ve been able to work with them.”
Harding, who spends 90 per cent of his time working in schools, said the program is able to reach youngsters who need financial and other support. The program is run over 10 weekends, with officers on the ice coaching children.
“A lot of these youngsters have low skating ability or have never skated before,” Harding said. “This was our third practice and we had three players who, as of yesterday, needed chairs for support when they skated. Today, we had a practice and there were no chairs. The children said to themselves, ‘There’s no way I’m going to have a chair while skating on the Montreal Canadiens’ practice ice.’ ”
After breaking in their new equipment, the kids were invited to watch the Canadiens practise and were treated to lunch. Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais joined and the two Canadiens signed autographs and participated in a question-and-answer session.
“I’ m happy to get involved in these things because it reminds me of when I was that age,” Gallagher said. “It’s a good cause and when people ask, you want to help out.”