Here’s a cool story. The CBC has reported former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel, last seen sporting one of the best mustaches ever, held an all-girls hockey camp and told the 30 registrants that the $950 registration fee would be refunded in order to support future camps.
Sopel hopes word of mouth builds the camp up, and campers have a great time.
“Essentially, what I want them to go back and build this camp little by little, year by year, just by the word of mouth, that they had a great time,” he said.
In the CBC story, Sopel says he doesn’t understand why there aren’t more camps for girls, as people have been asking him for years to start a camp.
“They can spread the word that it was a great camp, that they were treated with respect, they learned a ton.”
It’s a great gesture by Sopel. Sure, he’s promoting his camp, but who cares if he’s doing that by offering free registration to 30 players. Personally, my family couldn’t afford hockey growing up because it was too expensive, so it’s great it is to see Sopel take some of the cost away by waiving the fees. It’s also fantastic to see an NHL veteran supporting not only youth hockey, but youth girls hockey. His gesture supports inclusiveness, and that’s a great thing.
*Don Cherry thumbs up*
