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RANKIN INLET
A generous donation of new equipment will have more kids playing hockey in Rankin Inlet this season.

The Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association (RIMHA) accepted about $9,000 worth of gear from John Evans of CTR Auto/Industrial Supply and Hank Sprong of Goodyear Engineered Products this past week.

Evans said 95 per cent of the equipment is brand new, with only a few pairs of previously used skates thrown in by a supplier wanting to help.

He said about 70 per cent of the gear is for boys and the other 30 per cent for girls.

"We've been doing business here for the past 20 years and we wanted to do something to help the kids in the community," said Evans.

"We're very community-orientated, so we put a theme of hockey to this year's trade show.

"After we started this program it just kept growing and growing.

"When you add the cost of the new sticks we were able to donate with the gear, I'd put the total value around the $9,000 mark."

Evans said there's a real need for gear in Rankin and a lot of good friends pitched in to help the program.

He said he can't believe the community support he sees for hockey in Rankin.

"Minor hockey is strongly supported, you see full stands for senior men's hockey, and everyone's going crazy in the arena, and we're not used to seeing that in Winnipeg.

"Rankin is a real hockey town and the game is such a big part of life here.

"No kid should not play hockey because of a lack of money.

"Gear is expensive and kids can grow out of it so fast, so we're proud to be able to help have more kids playing hockey in Rankin."

RIMHA plans to set up a time in early December to distribute the gear.

Vice-president Craig Collier said RIMHA will help both kids playing with inadequate gear, and who need gear to register for hockey.

He said RIMHA will do everything it can to ensure every kid who needs gear to play will get it.

"We want every kid who wants to play hockey out on that ice," said Collier.

"You always have parents, no matter where you live, who can't afford to buy new equipment every year.

"When businesses go out of their way to help get kids playing, it helps the kids feel a part of something big in their community.

"You want to have all the kids playing together for their love of the game, and no one left out because of money."

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