A new season of hockey and hope
For young players in the Outdoor Hockey League (OHL), lacing up a pair of skates and holding a hockey stick is more than gearing up for a game – it’s stepping onto the ice and into a world of belonging and possibility.
This season, we mark a special milestone as 46 Indigenous players experience that joy firsthand, proudly using their very own sticks, skates, and gear thanks to a powerful collaboration between Ehrlo Sport Venture (ESV), OneHoop, and a team of community-minded partners.
On November 1, dozens of families converged on the Brandt Centre as the NHL First Shift Program dressed players from head to toe – gifting the children equipment and giving them the pride of calling it their own.
“We are privileged to participate in the NHL First Shift Program. This is an incredible opportunity made possible through the joint sponsorship of OneHoop and Innovation Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Hockey Regina, Bauer Hockey, StratLab Marketing, and the Regina Pats Hockey Club,” said Gloria Patrick, manager of ESV.
Each child who received equipment will take to the ice as part of the OHL, a free, inclusive league that ensures every child has the opportunity to play.
The NHL First Shift Program opens the door to hockey for children ages six to 10, offering select players a complete set of Bauer equipment, six weeks of on-ice instruction, expert equipment fitting, and Hockey Canada insurance. This group, focused specifically on supporting 46 Indigenous youth from Regina, represents the very heart of what the program stands for: breaking down barriers and building up communities.
“We’re honoured to support NHL First Shift because it embodies our values of accessibility, inclusion, and community building,” stated Thomas Benjoe, partner at OneHoop. “Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of sport, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. We are happy to remove some of those barriers that our young people sometimes face so that they can enjoy being kids and fall in love with hockey.”
OneHoop is dedicated to supporting and strengthening relationships between Indigenous communities, governments, and the corporate sector and works to advance reconciliation across Canada. Together with OneHoop, community partners and supporters, this initiative advances ESV’s shared commitment to creating spaces where children can learn, play, and grow through sport.
The OHL is Sport Venture’s longest running league – providing youth across Regina the opportunity to play for more than 30 years. Like all Sport Venture leagues, the OHL provides every child a chance to play – no matter their financial background, social status, or skill level.
Registration for the 2025-26 OHL season is now open for unserved children ages six to 16. The season will run from January 12 through March 8 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.,at outdoor rinks throughout Regina.
*Photo courtesy OneHoop