TORONTO (January 16, 2026) – NHLPA Goals & Dreams is giving back to New Brunswick this weekend by supporting grassroots hockey and community initiatives. As Moncton welcomes hockey fans for Scotiabank® Hockey Day in Canada, NHLPA Goals & Dreams and the Smilezone Foundation are bringing the spirit of hockey off the ice with the unveiling of new Smilezone spaces at The Moncton Hospital. On the ice, NHLPA Goals & Dreams and Jake Allen’s Program 34 are contributing 25 sets of equipment, including two sets of goalie equipment, to Fredericton’s Brendon Oreto Foundation.
“Hockey’s legacy in Canada is built on community, teamwork and giving back,” said NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh. “In the spirit of Hockey Day in Canada, we’re proud to collaborate with the Smilezone Foundation, Jake Allen’s Program 34 and Brendon Oreto Foundation to extend the impact of the game far beyond the rink and into the heart of communities in New Brunswick.”
Smilezone spaces at The Moncton Hospital
The newly opened Smilezone spaces transform three areas within the hospital’s Pediatric Department, creating bright, welcoming environments designed to reduce stress, spark joy, and make hospital visits a little easier for children and families. The opening represents a powerful moment where community, care, and Canada’s game come together and marks a high-energy way for Smilezone Foundation to kick off 2026 in Moncton.
Keeping with the hockey theme, the spaces feature vibrant hockey-inspired murals and displays, including signed jerseys from featured players Jake Allen (Fredericton native and New Jersey Devils goalie), Ross Johnston (Moncton Wildcats alumnus and Anaheim Ducks forward), and Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders rookie defenceman and Smilezone supporter) helping bring the excitement of the game directly into the hospital setting.
“At Smilezone, everything we do is about helping children feel a little more like kids, even when they’re facing incredibly tough moments,” said Scott Bachly, Co-Founder Smilezone Foundation. “Seeing these new Smilezone spaces come to life at The Moncton Hospital especially in partnership with NHLPA Goals & Dreams shows what’s possible when community, care, and compassion come together. We’re proud to help create environments that bring comfort, positivity, and moments of joy to children and families when they need it most.”
The Moncton opening marks the second collaboration between Smilezone Foundation and NHLPA Goals & Dreams, buildingon a shared commitment to supporting children and families through the power of hockey. Between the two Smilezone spaces, at The Moncton Hospital and Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton last season, NHLPA Goals & Dreams has contributed over $200,000 to these projects.
Hockey Day in Canada host and Smilezone Foundation Board Member Ron MacLean was on hand to celebrate with patients, families, and hospital staff, underscoring how meaningful Smilezone’s mission is to him. A long-time supporter of the Foundation, MacLean continues to champion the importance of creating welcoming, uplifting spaces that help make hospital experiences easier for children and their families.
“We’re pleased to celebrate the opening of the Smilezone in the Pediatric Department at The Moncton Hospital,” said Frances LeBlanc, President & CEO of Friends Foundation. “Thanks to the partnership between Smilezone Foundation and the National Hockey League Players’ Association, children and families will be able to benefit from brighter and more comfortable spaces to help enhance their experience and help relieve stress that may be associated with hospital visits.”
The ongoing partnership reflects the strong alignment between the two organizations, combining Smilezone’s expertise in creating therapeutic hospital environments with the NHLPA’s long-standing dedication to giving back to communities across Canada. Together, the organizations continue to bring the comfort and inspiration of the game into health-care settings, helping young patients feel supported both on and off the ice.
Equipment donation to Brendon Oreto Foundation
As a part of the community celebrations, NHLPA Goals & Dreams will also bus a group of 50 participants, including 20 local children, from Fredericton to take part in an on-ice clinic with Graves at Avenir Centre. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers to participation and creating meaningful hockey experiences for young players in New Brunswick.
“On behalf of the Brendon Oreto Foundation in Fredericton, NB, we want to thank the NHLPA for their generous donation of 25 complete sets of equipment to our program,” said Dave Saunders, Treasurer & Special Events, Brendon Oreto Foundation. “This will assist families who find providing equipment for their child to play hockey a barrier. This donation will give more boys and girls in our area the opportunity to play the great game of hockey.”
This is the second donation that NHLPA Goals & Dreams has made to the Brendon Oreto Foundation, with the latest donation from NHLPA Goals & Dreams and Jake Allen’s Program 34. Twenty-five sets of hockey equipment, including two sets of goalie equipment, from G&D and Program 34 is being donated to support youth hockey in Allen’s hometown.
