The Windsor Lancers men's hockey team will kick off the 2022-23 season with a renewed sense of purpose and an appreciation for the power of volunteerism.
 
As part of their training camp this fall, the Lancers will travel to British Columbia to provide humanitarian support to First Nations communities in the Nicola Valley impacted by the 2021 wildfires and floods.
 
"Our goal is to help change people's lives," said Lancer head coach Kevin Hamlin. "We want to do something that will foster a positive relationship with the First Nations community. The natural disasters combined with the horrific news of the residential schools is more than anyone should have to deal with. Providing homes for five families is a great start and I hope it will inspire other groups to do something similar."
 
The blue and gold are proud to partner with Unifor Local 444, the First Nations Emergency Service Society (FNESS), the city of Merritt, British Columbia, and the Merritt Centennials Jr. A hockey team on this initiative.
 
Unifor will contribute to the experience by offering their expertise and tradesmen to the cause, while also making a financial commitment. "Having developed a relationship with the Lancer men's hockey team over the last few years, we are once again excited to partner with the program on this great initiative," said Unifor Local 444 President David Cassidy. "We learned early on in our association with the blue and gold that Coach Hamlin and his staff were not just about teaching their athletes the art of hockey but building young men of character and decency. We are again proud to work together at a Unifor National level with the Lancers on this fantastic cause in helping to rebuild infrastructure for First Nations communities in BC that have been devasted by fire and floods the past two years."
 
Impacts to First Nations and other communities have been significant and recovery will require development and implementation of a broad range of activities to address social, environmental, and economic needs over the short and longer-term.
 
"FNESS would like to acknowledge the Windsor Lancers and Unifor Local 444 for their leadership and commitment to supporting First Nations communities in the Nicola Valley," said FNESS Mitigation Specialist Larry Price. "We very much appreciate the efforts involved and as a result, this project initiative will not only support a community build but also provide the youth in the community an opportunity to enhance their hockey skills."

"As we work towards Truth and Reconciliation, it is important for all peoples to understand the history of Indigenous peoples as well as Indigenous peoples' relationship to the land and that rebuilding is more than just brick and mortar," said Dr. Beverley Jacobs, Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Relations and Outreach at UWindsor and member of the Bear Clan, Mohawk Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. "Our relationships and sense of community needs to be rebuilt as well. I hope this experience will be a valuable opportunity for student athletes at UWindsor to interact and to learn first-hand from Indigenous peoples of the Nicola Valley First Nations.  I am proud of the University of Windsor Lancer hockey team to take on this initiative."
 
In addition to rebuilding homes, the Lancers will offer a hockey academy to the Centennials and educate the young First Nations community through their additional community initiatives and presentations, Lancers Skate Against Hate, Lancers Shutout Domestic Violence, and Lancers Against Bullying.
 
To round out their training camp, the blue and gold will play two exhibition games against Trinity Western University and the University of British Columbia. Both games will help raise money to assist the First Nations Nicolo Valley and all proceeds will be donated back to the young indigenous people to give them an opportunity to buy hockey equipment and experience the joy of the game.
 
"We want to educate our student athletes about the power of volunteerism and hope they gain a social awareness that could change their lives," said Hamlin. "Our community outreach initiatives are important, but this will surpass anything we have done in the community. We are hopeful that we can leave a legacy in Merritt that will challenge others to do the same."