Quark Delivers Hockey Gear to Pangnirtung by Arctic Ship
Quark received 18 boxes in Toronto, flew them to Reykjavik and loaded them onto Ocean Explorer for the voyage across the Davis Strait to Pangnirtung.
NHLPA Goals & Dreams and Quark Expeditions have delivered 15 complete sets of hockey equipment to Panniqtuuq Minor Hockey in Pangnirtung, Nunavut. Quark contributed $7,500 in equipment through the National Hockey League Players’ Association’s charitable program, which presented the donation to the local organization.
Pangnirtung has no road connection to other settlements. That makes equipment shipments both costly and difficult. The donation supplies young players with new, safe gear for use at the community’s arena.
Quark received 18 boxes in Toronto and sent them by air to Reykjavik, Iceland, where they were loaded onto Ocean Explorer. The ship then carried the equipment across the Davis Strait and through the Canadian Arctic to Pangnirtung.
“Every young person who wants to play hockey should have the chance to get on the ice,” said Marty Walsh, executive director of the NHLPA. He said the partnership with Quark would help reduce the equipment barrier for players in the community.
Quark Expeditions President Sam Seward said: “We’re grateful to the NHLPA for making hockey more accessible, and proud that our ships could help bring new equipment to young players in Pangnirtung.” He also said Quark intended to seek further ways to support communities on its itineraries as those relationships develop.
“We have seen how access to equipment can immediately open the door for more children to play,” said Andrew Wolfe, director of NHLPA Goals & Dreams.
The equipment program began in 1999, and NHLPA members have since contributed more than $27 million worth of gear to grassroots hockey organizations across 45 countries. Its complete equipment sets include protective gear, skates, sticks and clothing.
