Fort McMurray residents are once again receiving a helping hand from Penticton business people.
This time it’s making sure kids can keep playing hockey.
Scott Carter, part owner and president of Vaughn Custom Sports Canada, and his business partners answered the call for help from former NHL goalie Mike Brodeur. Carter knows the former Ottawa Senators goalie from his time as an instructor at the Okanagan Hockey School.
Brodeur holds summer hockey camps in Fort McMurray where he lives. He contacted Carter when several of his students lost their equipment in the blaze that devastated the city.
When asked about helping those families in northern Alberta, Carter said, “You want to help those kids.”
While families are likely to get insurance money for what they lost, it will take a while. Knowing that costs would likely prevent the kids from playing, Carter and his group, which includes his brother, Andy Moog and Frank Darin did what they could.
Also supporting the cause is the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as NHL goalies Cam Ward and Darcy Kuemper.
“It just snowballed a little bit for us in helping these kids,” said Carter.
The equipment was delivered to United Cycle in Edmonton, which offered to bring the kids in to try on their equipment. The staff in the goal department fitted the boys with the help of a Vaughn Northern Alberta rep. Most of the kids and their families were staying in Edmonton before returning home.
“Everybody is giving their time or money and hopefully it will put a smile on some kids and get them back on the ice,” said Carter. “Let them have a little place away from the destruction of their family life to have fun.”
Carter said they need to try to take care of the hockey community whenever they can.
“I think my involvement with getting the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame started was all about trying to give back,” he added. “I think it’s good that we can help a neighbouring province through the Hall of Fame and of course with our company.”
