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CORAL HARBOUR
Five young hockey players in Coral Harbour are skating on air after receiving a complete set of new equipment from the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) this month.

The equipment was donated through the NHLPA's Goals and Dreams program.

Volunteer Noel Kaludjak said this was the first time the NHLPA sent gear to youth wanting to play hockey in Coral.

He said in addition to the NHLPA, the families owe a thank you to former Coral resident Kyle Wood.

"Kyle wrote me a letter saying we should check into Goals and Dreams," said Kaludjak.

"After we agreed to try, he sent me a note saying we needed a couple of support letters from the community and a profile on me.

"They wanted to know what I do with the kids at the rink - everything from helping them get dressed, to helping with the coaching and volunteering at the arena.

"We had to submit the names of the boys who needed it and explain why it's so hard for some kids in the North to get hockey gear."

Kaludjak said it takes time to properly explain why gear is so costly in the North.

He said you can't buy much in many communities, and ordering it in isn't all that great because kids really should have their equipment fitted properly, and that means travelling to the south.

"There was lots of paperwork and a lot of e-mailing back and forth.

"Kyle did a lot of persuading and they agreed to help these kids. He also gets gear to our kids through the Nunavut Hockey Drive."

Kaludjak didn't tell the boys, aged eight to 14, about the gear until it was in his home because he didn't want to risk disappointing them.

He said they were happy beyond belief when he went to Sakku School to give them the news.

"I told them they deserve this because they love hockey and they're always trying to scrounge gear to play.

"I tried to explain the NHLPA program, but I don't think they heard another word after I told them they were getting new hockey gear.

"It will take awhile for all that to sink in because they're so excited about having new gear, they can't think about anything else right now.

"Other communities should try this because it takes hard work, but it can be done."

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