BUFFALO -- As part of festivities surrounding the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, members of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition joined youth participants from the Resource Council of Western New York today to announce a $20,000 grant to the All STARS Youth Ice Hockey Program. The grant will support the continued growth of the Buffalo-based initiative, which uses hockey to empower youth from underserved communities, by expanding program capacity by more than 30% while reinforcing the program’s mission to develop leaders on and off the ice.
Based on Buffalo’s East Side, the Resource Council of WNY’s All STARS Youth Ice Hockey Program helps make hockey more accessible to children and families who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. Through free equipment, transportation, ice time, meals, coaching, mentorship, and year-round programming, the initiative creates a welcoming environment where young people ages 8–14 can build skills, confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging—on the ice and in the community.
“Hockey has been a transformative and positive force for the kids we serve – not just because they have fallen in love with the game, but also because the game teaches life lessons that extend far beyond the ice,” said Catherine M. Roberts, President and CEO of RCWNY. “With this gift from the NHL PIC, we look forward to welcoming more kids into the All Stars Youth Ice Hockey Program, and we celebrate the incredible memories that were made today with role models from the coalition.”
The Buffalo Sabres, through the Sabres Foundation, have a long-standing relationship with RCWNY and have committed upwards of $2 million since 2015 to support the organization’s work to uplift and enrich the Buffalo community.
The NHL PIC is a group of current and former NHL players and women's professional hockey players who work to advance inclusion in hockey, on and off the ice. At today’s event, the NHL PIC was represented by Blake Bolden, Julie Chu, Anson Carter, Mark Fraser, Jordan Harris, Georges Laraque, Al Montoya, Anthony Stewart, and P.K. Subban. The NHL PIC continues to grow as the Sabres’ own Beck Malenstyn and Penguins’ Connor Dewar recently joined the membership.
“Every kid deserves a chance to experience the joy of hockey and the vibrant community surrounding it,” said Anson Carter. “Since the NHL PIC first formed, we’ve been so inspired by the energy that new hockey players bring to the sport, and we remain committed to reaching out and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive.”
Since 2023, the NHL PIC has awarded nearly $500,000 USD in community grants. Funding for the grants is provided through the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition Action Fund, which was established to empower players to support grassroots programs that welcome and engage new hockey audiences.
This season, several NHL PIC members hosted activations, including Boston Bruins defenseman Jordan Harris, who launched the new mentorship program Harris’ Huskies; Montreal Victoire forward Abby Roque, who hosted 50 girls from Kahnawake First Nation at a PWHL game; and NHL alumnus J.T. Brown, who launched Compass Clinics, a program for 14U and 12U Jr. Kraken players as they continue along their developmental pathway. Anson Carter joined 28 kids on the ice with Durham Regional Police Service’s free learn-to-play hockey program, an NHLPA Goals & Dreams recipient. The NHL PIC also took a leading role in acknowledging hockey trailblazers, from organizing an educational panel and celebration in honor of Willie O’Ree’s 90th birthday to hosting a special clinic for elite girls’ hockey players in honor of Angela James’ storied career.
Tomorrow, members of the NHL PIC will join a community hockey clinic co-hosted with top prospects from the 2026 NHL Draft. The clinic will feature youth players from the Buffalo Sabres Learn to Play Program, as well as participants from Hasek’s Heroes, an organization dedicated to removing financial barriers and creating opportunities for children to experience the game of hockey.
