Our Story

About Us

A 100% volunteer-run nonprofit founded in Ottawa in 2021 with a simple belief: every child deserves the opportunity to play.

Our Mission

Together,
We Can.

Next Shift Hockey Canada's mission is to remove barriers to sport by providing quality equipment and resources to youth who need it most. We believe every athlete deserves the chance to play, grow, and belong, regardless of financial circumstances.

Through donations, partnerships, and community engagement, we help create pathways for participation, confidence, and long-term development. We are 100% volunteer-run. Every dollar donated goes directly to athletes.

Since 2021, we have helped over 2,197 athletes, distributed more than $1.9 million in equipment and financial assistance, and reached communities from Ottawa to Kenya, Serbia, Jamaica, and beyond.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Equity

Every athlete deserves equal access to the game, regardless of financial circumstance.

Diversity

Hockey is for everyone. We celebrate and champion diversity in all its forms.

Community

We are stronger together. Community is at the heart of everything we do.

Resilience

We believe in the power of sport to build resilience and character.

Integrity

We operate with transparency, accountability, and honesty in all we do.

How It Started

The Founding Story

Next Shift Hockey Canada was born from a simple observation: too many talented, passionate young athletes were sitting on the sidelines not because they lacked skill or desire, but because their families couldn't afford the equipment or registration fees.

Founded in Ottawa in 2021, we started with a single equipment drive. The response was overwhelming, both from families who needed help and from the community who wanted to give. Within months, we had distributed gear to 87 athletes and knew we were onto something important.

What began as a local initiative quickly grew. Word spread. Partnerships formed. The NHLPA came on board. Amazon invested. And most importantly, athletes who had never had the chance to play found themselves on the ice for the first time.

Today, we operate nationally and internationally, but our mission remains the same: remove every barrier between an athlete and the game they love.

The People Behind It