The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League along with Sherwood teamed up to support a hockey team in need.
The North Bay U18 AAA Trappers hockey team is picking up the pieces after the players lost all their belongings after a bus fire occurred on their route home from Kapuskasing to North Bay on Sunday, November 13.
Thankfully, no one was injured but the bus was completely destroyed.
Michael Soule the director of sales at Sherwood Hockey, supported the decision to donate 40 sticks to the U18 team.
“It was a horrifying accident, we’re just glad everyone was okay," said Soule.
"The NOJHL is one of our partners and when they approached us about the incident, it was important for us to get involved and help get the kids back on the ice as quickly as possible.”
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Robert Mazzuca, the NOJHL's commissioner, felt compelled to help the team which has more than 10 NOJHL affiliate players on its roster.
“Hockey is a family, and as such the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League did not hesitate to do our part to assist in helping get the North Bay Trappers under-18 side back on the ice as quick as possible,” offered NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident and we also commend our league partner Sherwood for stepping up to aid in re-equipping the Trappers,” added Mazzuca.
“As many of these North Bay players are undoubtedly on their way to being future NOJHLers, we want them, and their families, to know we all stick together in times of need and we can’t wait to see them competing once again, soon."
Doug Sanders, U18 AAA Trappers head coach, who was credited for playing a part in helping get his players to safety off the bus, appreciates the kind gesture from the NOJHL and Sherwood.
"We are grateful for all the assistance and care we have received from everyone and we want to give thanks to the NOJHL and the Powassan Voodoos for supplying our players with Sherwood sticks to help get us back in action," said Sanders, whose team had hockey gear replaced and paid for by the bus line as well last week at Skaters Source for Sports in North Bay.
"The Voodoos organization, led by their GM Chris Dawson, has been extremely helpful and we just want to say thank you."
The U18 AAA Trappers will be back on the ice for the first time this weekend in Powassan when they take on the U16 AAA Trappers.
