Williams Lake Minor Hockey office administrator Pam Povelofskie can barely move around her office at the Cariboo Memorial Complex, and that suits her just fine.
That’s after a massive shipment of hockey equipment arrived in Williams Lake this week, literally filling her office from wall to wall and floor to ceiling, courtesy of none other than Montreal Canadiens’ netminder and Anahim Lake’s Carey Price.
“It’s a good mess,” Povelofskie said Wednesday. “I love it.”
Price and CCM — his equipment provider — sent thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of goaltending equipment to the WLMHA, hockey sticks and gear to the Williams Lake KidSport chapter, the Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District, Williams Lake Big Brothers Big Sisters and 15 more sets of gear split between the Tsilhqot’in Nation (TN), the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NSTC) and the Cariboo Chilcotin Tribal Council (CCTC).
Povelofskie and the WLMHA were contact by Carey’s dad, Jerry Price, who set up the donations, and said it was something his son wanted to do.
Pads, blockers, gloves, chest protectors and more will be distributed among the WLMHA’s house divisions, Povelofskie said.
WLMHA house co-ordinator Todd Isnardy said the gear will ease the financial burden for kids and parents, especially in the bantam and midget divisions where goaltenders are sparse. The donation will allow for players to try the position with top-quality gear.
“I’m very humbled Jerry and Carey and CCM still think of Williams Lake Minor Hockey,” Isnardy said.
“I’ve met Jerry a couple times and I’m amazed. When I talked to him I said you are, as a hockey dad, the reason I got on the executive. That’s what we should be emulating. Both him and his son are so gracious, and I was almost speechless after I talked to him that first time.”
Meanwhile, Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society’s adult justice co-ordinator Bruce Baptiste was tasked with selecting five youth (two girls and three boys), all strong role models, from the Tsilhqot’in Nation, to deliver the equipment to. The same was done for the NSTC and the CCTC by Shawn Holte and Bonnie Slack, respectively.
“They were really excited. Christmas came early for those kids,” Baptiste said.
“I think it’s totally awesome [of Carey]. Giving back to the community like that and to kids that need the gear. I’m pretty impressed. One day I’ll meet him and give him thanks for this.”
KidSport secretary Deb Radolla said she was thrilled the organization was contacted. As of Wednesday, the KidSport office at the CMRC was so full you could barely open the door.
“KidSport and JumpStart have been helping children in Williams Lake play hockey and other sports in Williams Lake since 2005 but we have never had such a generous equipment donation,” Radolla said.
“This will help many families in the community and make Williams Lake a healthier place to live, work and play.”
