The National Hockey League Players Association’s charitable arm, NHLPA Goals & Dreams, and Quark Expeditions have donated and delivered 15 full hockey equipment sets to Panniqtuuq Minor Hockey in Nunavut, Canada.
“Every young person who wants to play hockey should have the chance to get on the ice,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA’s executive director.
“We’re proud to work with Quark Expeditions to help remove that barrier for young players in Pangnirtung, Canada.”
“The power of sport is in its ability to bring people together,” said Sam Seward, president of Quark Expeditions. “We’re grateful to the NHLPA for making hockey more accessible, and proud that our ships could help bring new equipment to young players in Pangnirtung.”
“As we continue to deepen our relationships with the communities we visit, we look forward to finding more ways to support them in the years ahead,” added Seward.
“We have seen how access to equipment can immediately open the door for more children to play,” said Andrew Wolfe, Director, NHLPA Goals & Dreams. “This donation will provide young players in Pangnirtung with safe, new equipment and help the community’s participation in the game continue to grow.”
Because Pangnirtung is remote and has no road access to other settlements, transporting hockey equipment is difficult and expensive, creating barriers for young hockey players in the community.
Quark said in a press release that the donation gives local youth access to new and safe hockey equipment for use at their local arena.
Quark Expeditions donated $7,500 in hockey equipment to NHLPA Goals & Dreams, which presented it to Panniqtuuq Minor Hockey as part of its ongoing efforts to support grassroots hockey and nurture future generations of players.
Quark stated that the donation traveled thousands of kilometers before reaching its destination. Quark Expeditions in Toronto received the 18 boxes, then air-freighted them to Reykjavik, Iceland, and loaded them aboard the Ocean Explorer.
The equipment was then transported across the Davis Strait and Canadian Arctic to Pangnirtung, Nunavut.
