Feature Photo courtesy of Noah Dobson
Noah Dobson is set to return to his hometown of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, for the third edition of Noah Dobson’s HockeyFest – a three-day street hockey festival running June 20-22 at Credit Union Place.
The event, which aims to raise money and awareness for Community Connections Inc., a local nonprofit organization supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, will once again bring the world’s largest street hockey festival to Dobson’s hometown of Summerside.
“HockeyFest partnered with Summerside – making it the only Atlantic Canadian stop in its annual tour over the last four years,” said Dobson, who skated in his sixth NHL season – all with the New York Islanders – in 2024-25.
“The City of Summerside asked me to come on board as its brand partner and renamed the event with my name attached in 2023. I’d been looking for something special to get involved with, and with this being my hometown, it was the perfect fit and a chance to give back to my community.”
A community that holds great memories for Dobson.
“I remember growing up playing minor hockey in Summerside and everything was first class – we had great tournaments, great teams and tremendous support from the community. You will see kids wearing hats of all NHL teams. You can tell how big hockey is here. You can see the love the city has for the sport.”
The event has been a huge hit, to say the least.
Games are played on half-scale NHL-style rinks, complete with real boards, netting and referees.
“2022 was the first year the city hosted this type of event with about 25 teams”, said Dobson. “When I came on board in 2023 we reached 51 teams, doubling the interest, which we thought was great. Last year, we hit 102 teams, making it the largest HockeyFest in North America for 2024 – and we’re already well past that number for this year.”
With a new record of 140 teams registered for the 2025 edition, Dobson is equally as excited for the event to raise funds for a worthy cause in Community Connections Inc.
“Partnering with Community Connections Inc has been incredible – 100 percent of the proceeds from this event go towards helping adults with diverse abilities,” noted Dobson.
“It’s great to give back and the funds that we have raised thus far have already made a significant impact. Whether it’s providing wheelchairs, accessible vehicles, upgraded facilities or new sports programs, it’s been wonderful to see great people benefit from the funds raised through HockeyFest.”
There will be plenty of familiar sights and sounds over the three-day event for the 25-year-old defenceman.
“It’s cool to have this played on the streets of Summerside – the same streets where I grew up playing ball hockey with friends. We played almost every night."
There will also be plenty of familiar faces to greet Dobson.
“I am fortunate to have a great support team helping me run all this. The City of Summerside does a great job with every event they put on – especially when it comes to their sport tourism events. Tanner Doiron, who works for the city, played minor hockey with me growing up, and he’s been incredible in making sure everything runs smoothly.”
Dobson’s parents, Andrew and Jenny, will be on hand. His fiancée, Alexa Serowik, her sister Pia and their father – former NHL player Jeff Serowik – are all contributing in various ways.
“My family is very involved,” said Dobson. “A lot of local businesses in Summerside will take part in a corporate division – my dad plays with Holland College, where he works. This year, my fiancée’s parents have donated a team, and she is going to play with her sister and friends. It’s a great weekend and we try to make it as enjoyable as possible for everyone. There are many people behind the scenes who work so hard to make this event great – it’s a big team effort.”
NHLPA Goals & Dreams – the players’ charitable initiative, established in 1999 – is once again providing support to this year’s event as a platinum sponsor after contributing to the tournament the last three years, including to its silent auction.
Last year, NHLPA Goals & Dreams and Dobson donated 20 sets of equipment to support young hockey players in Summerside, and together they are looking ahead to areas where another G&D equipment donation may help next season.
“I am very grateful for having the NHLPA involved and helping us out,” said Dobson. “For a small community to be put on a much larger stage through the platform the NHLPA has is truly amazing.”
“I know that Noah is incredibly grateful to so many who have supported him since youth hockey and continue to support him by donating their time to HockeyFest,” added Alexa.
Alexa, born and raised in the Boston area, feels right at home in Summerside.
The couple, who will tie the knot on July 1, are building their first home in Prince Edward Island.
“It’s important for Noah and me to give back to the community. Summerside is home for us. I have come a few times even throughout this past winter and gotten to know so many wonderful people in this tight-knit community over the past few years.”
A news reporter and sports personality who has covered NASCAR, hockey, and the entertainment world, she will likely expand the number of people she knows in Summerside further after this year’s HockeyFest.
Alexa, along with her sister, will be playing on one of the corporate teams.
“I’m playing this year and I’m most looking forward to that,” said Alexa. “Pia is an NCAA D1 field hockey player at Boston College and although I was a theatre major at BC, I was the JV captain of ice hockey at the Noble and Greenough School. Pia and I are on a corporate team from my family, Pro Ambitions Mr. Assist. My dad would normally be here and love to play too, but he just had a full knee replacement and right now his focus is walking me down the aisle without a limp and getting back on the ice with his company, Pro Ambitions."
She added with a laugh, “I am thinking ball hockey is a crossover of field and ice hockey, so it will be interesting to see who scores more goals … me or Pia.”
Those friendly sibling rivalries aside, Dobson, who will present medals to the winning teams and take photos with the players, is grateful for the heartfelt efforts of many.
“It’s so nice to have people who are a big part of my life helping me out at this event. It really does mean a lot.”
HockeyFest means the world to the people of Summerside, a small city with a big love for all things hockey.
“At the festival, on the weekend, seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces and everyone here joining together for a great event – we are so grateful,” said Dobson. “I’m available all weekend and I’m happy to sign stuff and meet people.”
Alexa is equally grateful for the support.
“It means so much to Noah, me, his family and my family to give back to Noah’s hometown of Summerside,” said Alexa. “We all love hockey, developing youth players and supporting Noah’s chosen cause to help folks here in Prince Edward Island.
“He loves seeing all the kids play in this cool tournament for charity. It’s such a fun family weekend.”
A weekend that Dobson looks forward to every June.
“We aim to grow the event each year. ... For a small place like Summerside, it’s been a great event.”
