For the third year, two Greater Toronto Hockey League players worked together off the ice to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous children and youth.

Under-17 ‘A’ West Mall Lightning goaltender, Daniel Berton, teamed up once again with Ethan Kowatsch, U18 ‘AAA’ Toronto Titans netminder to gather gently used hockey equipment. With a shorter timeframe this season, Berton and Kowatsch managed to gather a total of 43 hockey bags full of equipment including skates, shoulder pads, helmets, and more. The pair also rounded up 45 sticks and eight pairs of goalie pads.

Berton and Kowatsch got the word out via emails to their respective teams, families, and local communities.

“Everyone stepped up,” Berton shared of the support.

The two goaltenders coordinated with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers from the North Eastern Division (in Hearst, Ontario) to arrange the pick-up and delivery to the Indigenous youth receiving the donations in the Attawapiskat community.