Their minor hockey players were dazzled by Steven Stamkos’ presence at the new RBC branch on Montreal Road, and the Ottawa District Hockey Association was just as pleased about potentially bringing more youngsters into the game after the event on All-Star weekend.
The ODHA was presented a $5,000 grant it had applied for through RBC’s Play Hockey program to help rent storage space to house equipment it will give to young players who can’t afford it.
“Skates are expensive, so with their program, it’s going to assist kids in this community, and in other communities too,” notes ODHA executive director Rick Sennott. “It’s a great cooperation between the local partners to get these kids on the ice.”
RBC staff collected many of their own used skates and received 10 new pairs from Figure 8 skate shop.
“It was really well supported by everyone involved,” says RBC branch manager Richard Levesque, who praised Stamkos for his enthusiasm. “We had a great turnout from the community, and now they know we are here.”