Press Release - NOHA Invests $45,000 in Goaltender Equipment for Member Associations

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More than 90 complete sets heading to over 25 Minor Hockey Associations, with further goaltending initiatives to follow

NORTH BAY, ON, September 11, 2026 — The Northern Ontario Hockey Association will deliver more than 90 complete sets of goaltender equipment to more than 25 Member Minor Hockey Associations ahead of the 2026-27 season, following an investment of $45,000.00 approved by the NOHA Executive.

The equipment will be distributed to Associations across the NOHA's territory, which spans roughly 800,000 square kilometers of Northeastern Ontario and serves more than 14,000 participants.

Goaltending equipment is among the most significant cost barriers in minor hockey. A complete set represents a substantial expense for a family, and Associations without loaner equipment on hand often struggle to fill the position at the entry levels, where a child's willingness to try goal can hinge entirely on whether gear is available that night.

The NOHA has identified goaltending as an organizational priority, and the equipment purchase is the first of several initiatives the Association will bring forward. Further programming focused on goaltender development and the training of goalie coaches across Northern Ontario is currently being finalized, with details to be shared with Member Associations in the weeks ahead.

"Every year we hear from Associations that have kids who want to play goal and no equipment to put them in," said Jason Marchand, Executive Director of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. "Equipment gets a young player into the net. It does not teach them how to play the position, and it does not solve the shortage of people qualified to coach them. This is the first piece of a larger plan, and there is more coming on the development side. Associations will be hearing from us shortly."

The initiative was made possible by a combination of sources. The NOHA directed proceeds from the dissolution of Hockey Trainers Ontario (HTO), of which the NOHA was a member, toward the purchase, and received a further allocation of complete sets through the Ontario Hockey Federation. Participating Associations contributed a minor share of the cost, allowing the NOHA to extend the program well beyond what its own funding alone would have covered.

"The Executive did not hesitate on this one," said Steve Lawrence, President of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. "When funds became available, the question was what would do the most good for the most kids for the longest time. Goaltending equipment was the clear answer, and I want to thank the Executive for backing it without reservation. It is also the start of something larger, and I look forward to what the NOHA will be announcing in this area."

Equipment provided through the program becomes the property of the receiving Association and is intended for development use, including first time goaltenders, house league loaner pools, and try-a-goalie programming.

Member Associations with questions about the program should contact the NOHA office. Watch for further announcements regarding NOHA goaltending development programming.

Participating Member Associations

Association du sport jeunesse du Nord-Est de l'Ontario

Blind River MHA

Chapleau MHA

Cochrane MHA

Coniston MHA

Elliot Lake MHA

French River MHA

Hearst MHA

Iroquois Falls MHA

Kapuskasing MHA

Little Current MHA