Helsinki/Toronto (November 12, 2026) – As the 2026 Global Series brings NHL action to Finland, NHLPA Goals & Dreams is celebrating the occasion by helping more children experience hockey in communities across the country: Oulu, Helsinki, Pori, Kuopio and Siilinjärvi. Together with Sebastian Aho, Miro Heiskanen, Mikael Granlund, Joel Armia, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Leo Komarov, the program has extended a longstanding commitment to grassroots hockey in Finland by donating 110 sets of new equipment at a cost of over $85,000 to five Finnish youth hockey clubs over the past few months.
“Finland has a proud hockey tradition, and strong local programs are vital to the future of the game,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “Through NHLPA Goals & Dreams, Finnish NHL players are helping more children get the equipment they need to play. It’s meaningful to see Sebastian Aho, Miro Heiskanen, Mikael Granlund, Joel Armia, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and former NHL player Leo Komarov step forward to support the game in their home communities.”
Youth hockey players will join in the week’s festivities and enjoy memorable experiences beyond the game, including 12 HIFK youth players representing NHLPA Goals & Dreams on the ice prior to Thursday’s game, and 12 children from Oulun Kärpät 46 ry making the trip all the way from Oulu to attend and participate in the pre-game of Saturday’s game. The donations with Aho, Granlund and Heiskanen will all be celebrated in arena during the Global Series games this weekend.
Additionally, local youth hockey players will bus in from Turku, Kaapo Kakko’s hometown, to attend the Seattle Kraken’s practice in Helsinki on Friday and get the opportunity to meet Kakko afterwards. More local HIFK youth hockey players will also get to meet Kotkaniemi after the Carolina Hurricanes’ practice on Friday.
“Throughout the years, NHLPA Goals & Dreams has supported grassroots hockey programs in Finland and helped provide many children with increased access to the game,” said Andrew Wolfe, NHLPA Goals & Dreams Director.
These five latest equipment donations represent the latest chapter in NHLPA Goals & Dreams’ longstanding relationship with grassroots hockey in Finland, providing the players with a meaningful opportunity to support the communities that helped launch their hockey journeys:
Sebastian Aho – Oulun Kärpät 46 ry (Oulu)
20 full sets of equipment are being donated to Sebastian Aho’s childhood hockey team, Oulun Kärpät 46, supporting beginners entering the game in Oulu and reducing barriers to hockey for disadvantaged youth.
“To be able to do this with NHLPA Goals & Dreams, to give back to the place where I got a lot… the city of Oulu is home to me so it’s very special to be able to do this.”
- Sebastian Aho
Miro Heiskanen and Mikael Granlund – HIFK Ishockey rf (Helsinki)
25 full sets of equipment have been donated to HIFK Ishockey rf, helping children aged 6-8 years participate in the program and continue to access the game of hockey. Miro Heiskanen and Mikael Granlund – who both played for HIFK in Liiga prior to their NHL careers – surprised a group of young HIFK hockey players at their practice in August to celebrate the equipment donation.
“It’s nice to be able to help them with gear and hopefully get some more great hockey players and keep the sport going here in Finland. It makes me really happy.”
- Mikael Granlund
“For everything they gave to me, it’s just great to be here and give a little something back for them … and to see all those kids and how excited they are, it’s exciting for us too.
- Miro Heiskanen
Joel Armia and Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Porin Ässät ry (Pori)
20 sets of equipment were donated to help more children participate in the club’s Easy Hockey and Special Hockey programs, introducing them to the game. Joel Armia and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who grew up in Pori and played with Porin Ässät ry prior to their NHL careers, their hometown in August for the announcement.
“Me and Joel both came a long way from Porin Assat, so I think it’s our time to do something back for them. We know how expensive it’s getting here, so [we’re] just trying to do a little for them.”
- Jesperi Kotkaniemi
“I feel we’ve always got all the help from the team we needed and it’s our time to give back now.”
- Joel Armia
Leo Komarov – LK 47
25 sets of equipment will be donated to LK 47, a charity set up by former NHL player Leo Komarov. This new hockey equipment will allow LK 47 to establish a reusable equipment bank and introduce new children to hockey without requiring a significant initial investment in the equipment.
“With the help of NHLPA Goals & Dreams, every donated piece of equipment can give a child the opportunity to begin a new hobby, make friends, and experience the feeling of belonging to a team. Every great hockey story begins with the opportunity to step onto the ice.”
- Leo Komarov
Juniori-KalPa ry (Kuopio and Siilinjärvi)
NHLPA Goals & Dreams is donating 20 sets of equipment, reducing financial barriers and making the game of hockey accessible to young players aged 3-20 years at Juniori-KalPa ry in the Kuopio and Siilinjärvi regions.
NHLPA Goals & Dreams’ Impact in Finland
Since the program’s inception in 1999, NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than 500 sets of equipment, at a cost of more than $270,000, to support youth hockey organizations in Finland. These contributions are part of an ongoing effort to support grassroots hockey initiatives around the world and foster the next generation of hockey players.
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ABOUT NHLPA GOALS & DREAMS:
In 1999, the National Hockey League Players’ Association launched NHLPA Goals & Dreams as a way for the players to give back to the game they love. The Players’ charitable program’s primary focus is on supporting grassroots hockey programs by providing complete sets of new equipment to deserving youth. For 26 years, NHLPA members have donated more than $27 million to grassroots hockey programs in 45 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.nhlpagoalsanddreams.com.
Contact information:
Jonathan Weatherdon
NHLPA
Chief of Media Relations
jweatherdon@nhlpa.com
Stephanie Maniago
NHLPA
Manager, Communications & Media Relations
smaniago@nhlpa.com
