Impact Stories
Stories of Change
Behind every statistic is a real person whose life was changed by access to hockey. These are their stories.
Ottawa, Canada
African Hockey Association
From 14 to 100+ Athletes
"Next Shift didn't just give us equipment. They gave us a community. We went from 14 players who could barely afford gear to over 100 athletes who feel like they truly belong in this sport."
The African Hockey Association started with a small group of players who had a passion for the game. Next Shift stepped in to equip every player with proper gear and got on the ice with them to help develop their skills. Today, the association has grown to over 100 active athletes and continues to thrive.
Multiple Cities
2nd Chance Program
Adults Discovering Hockey
"I always wanted to play hockey as a kid but we couldn't afford it. At 34, Next Shift gave me my second chance. I'm not just playing. I'm thriving."
The 2nd Chance Program was created for adults who never had the opportunity to play hockey as children due to financial barriers. Next Shift provides equipment and connects participants with beginner adult leagues, creating a welcoming environment for first-time players of all ages. The program has helped over 50 adults discover the joy of hockey for the first time.
Across Canada
Indigenous Community Partnerships
Growing the Game Together
"Hockey has always been part of our culture. Next Shift helped us reclaim that connection by removing the financial barriers that had kept our youth off the ice for too long."
Next Shift has developed deep partnerships with Indigenous communities across Canada, working to bring hockey back to communities where financial barriers had limited participation. These partnerships are built on respect for community leadership and cultural values, ensuring that programs are designed with and for each community rather than imposed from outside.
From Our Community
What Families Are Saying
"I took my two boys to get fitted for some gear today for the first time and was absolutely blown away by these two gentlemen and what they are trying to achieve. They welcomed us with big smiles and jokes, asked what music my kids liked so they could play it in the background. Took all the time in the world trying gear on and showing us some other stuff they have collected. It was our first time meeting them, but their mission seems abundantly clear: make hockey affordable for everyone. I cannot thank them enough for the experience today. My two boys have been at the rink for five hours straight trying out their new gear. 10/5 stars. Highly recommend. If you have any hockey related gear to donate, please reach out to them."
"I highly recommend Next Shift Hockey. They are a true blessing and they have so much knowledge about hockey. They are an amazing organization that is going above and beyond. The owner Marc is very knowledgeable and he has a heart of gold and helped my son get all new equipment to be his high school goalie. Got him professionally fitted in the gear so he knew he would be safe. I hope to see more children in need of equipment reach out to Next Shift Hockey. Thank you for supporting my son Jeremy on his journey of being his high school hockey team goalkeeper. Truly means a lot to our family."
"Phenomenal service! I have 7 children and 4 in hockey this year and they make sure you are geared from head to toe! This is incredible! I am beyond thankful!"
"Such an amazing organization that helps many feel the joy of the game. This is my son's first year in hockey and he was completely kitted out and he is so excited to hit the ice. They partnered with the Paugan Falls Rapids team to distribute gear to over 40 players at this year's event and it was awesome to see so many happy faces from new and older players sharing the love of hockey."
"What an amazing organization! They dressed my new player almost head to toe. My son is so excited to start playing now. Thank you to the team!"
Share Your Story
Have you been helped by Next Shift? We'd love to hear from you and share your story to inspire others.