All in for hockey

Oct 23, 2010 - 4:54 PM

Take a knee kids. Dayson McColgan and others listen to instructor Lucky De Grazia during the Mississauga Hockey League's Tim Hortons Got Hockey program launch held at Malton Arena this afternoon. Photo by Claudio Cugliari

More than 100 youth hit the ice this morning at Malton Arena in the inaugural session of the Mississauga Hockey League’s (MHL) Tim Horton’s Got Hockey Program.
The program, which also had a session at the Mississauga Valleys Arena, was created with the purpose of introducing new families and children in Mississauga to the sport.
“Basically, it’s an introduction to a hockey program so the kids that have never played hockey before can come out and have fun,” said MHL director of marketing and community relations Jon Kursikowski.
“What we’re doing is opening the doors to kids who have never had the chance to play hockey before and hopefully we can get a few more kids playing the sport.”
With a primary focus on new Canadians in the city, the goal is to help remove financial, cultural and other barriers that have prevented these children and families from participating in minor hockey.
“As soon as we released the program, we had an overwhelming response," Kursikowski said. “Right now there is a wait list of over 100 kids and our goal is to have eight arenas running throughout the city annually.”
National Hockey League Player’s Association representative Rob Zamuner said NHL players have donated more than $18 million of hockey equipment to deserving children across the world.
“The guys that play in the NHL right now started out just like these kids in small communities,” said Zamuner, who played 13 seasons in the big league. “Someone gave them a chance and this is what we’re doing right now; giving kids a chance.”
For nine-year-old Zaheer Kazi, getting on the ice was a dream come true.
“It’s so much fun and not cold at all,” Kazi said. “One day I hope I get to play hockey just like Sidney Crosby.”
Long-time Malton resident Abdul Hamid Kazi said hockey is dying in the immigrant community and support is definitely needed.
“It’s programs like this that will help maintain the sport,” he said. “Starting the kids off at a young age is only going to help them become better people.”
The eight-week on-ice instruction program geared towards children between 7-13 costs $35 per child and includes all equipment, including helmet, sticks, skates and gloves.