Carey Price donates goalie gear

Graphic by Charlotte Bracho.

The Habs goaltender contributes $10,000 to his hometown teams

On Oct. 27, when the Montreal Canadiens fell to the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 5-1 and failed to tie the NHL record for most wins to start a season, goaltender Carey Price remained a winner.

Graphic by Charlotte Bracho.
Graphic by Charlotte Bracho.

The Anahim Lake, B.C., native recently donated over $10,000 worth of CCM goalie equipment to organizations such as the Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association, the Williams Lake Big Brothers and Big Sisters, as well as three aboriginal organizations.

Price’s donation to his old minor hockey association allows children—who may not have the financial means—to give the sport a shot. It also allows them to meet new people, make friends, and to play a sport they love.

As a goaltender myself, I’m aware of how haunting the bills of goalie equipment can be. Decent chest protectors cost about $700. Goalie pads can range anywhere from $600 to $2,000. Blockers and gloves are at least $250 each. A plain, one-colour helmet retails for about $500. I value the entirety of my equipment at about $2,500, and I’m not using high-end gear.

For underprivileged youth, a price cannot be put on this donation.

As Price was accepting one of the four trophies that he received during the 2015 NHL awards, he gave a speech to inspire kids who were once like him. “I made it here because I wasn’t discouraged,” he said. “I worked hard to get here, took advantage of every opportunity that I had, and I would really like to encourage First Nations youth to be leaders in their communities. Be proud of your heritage and don’t be discouraged from the improbable.”

The equipment donation is far from the first thing that Price has done to improve both local and aboriginal communities.

Price is also involved with a program called Stick with School, which encourages children to stay in school and motivates them to get good grades. He sets academic goals with the students, including those of the Kahnawake Survival School. He then rewards the students with tickets to a game if they meet their goals.

No matter what Price’s future may hold with the Canadiens and no matter how many Stanley Cups, Olympic gold medals, or NHL awards he receives, Carey Price will always be a winner. Something that all Habs fans can agree on.

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