Bringing the excitement of hockey to new Canadians

April 1, 2023

It has been widely acknowledged that Canadians are inherently drawn to the love of hockey. From the moment of our birth, we possess an intrinsic affection and admiration for the “Good ‘Ole Hockey Game” – we engage in playing it, watching it, reading about it, and in general, obsessing over it year-round.

Hockey stands as the most popular sport in our nation. Consequently, it is only natural that individuals relocating to Canada from other regions would yearn to participate in our country's cherished discourse. After all, they aspire to engage in debates about power-play strategies and revel in the thrill of significant victories alongside the rest of us.

However, delving into the sport can be daunting for those who have never been exposed to it prior to their arrival in Canada. Much like any other sport, hockey possesses its distinct language, rules, and equipment that might be unfamiliar to newcomers.

An exceptional gateway for families newly arrived in Canada to embrace the sport is the NHL/NHLPA FIRST SHIFT program. This initiative is designed to craft a positive initial encounter for families new to hockey. The objective is to allow them to grasp the essence of why countless Canadians harbor an intrinsic fondness for the sport, thus inspiring them to continue participating in it.

The program extends its reach throughout the entire nation. In Leaside, a community in Toronto, Sentinel Storage’s sister company, Access Storage, has collaboratively partnered with the local hockey association to facilitate access to the NHL/NHLPA FIRST SHIFT program for families in the area.

During the event, witnessing numerous young individuals adorned with smiles, thoroughly enjoying a game that many of us grew up playing, cherishing, and persistently adoring, was a heartening sight. It reinforces the notion that the joy derived from hockey transcends cultural boundaries – all it takes is the exposure to and firsthand experience of the sport.

As dedicated sponsors of hockey on a national scale, Sentinel Storage takes immense pride in contributing to the cause of introducing families new to hockey to the marvels of Canada's favorite game.