St. Thomas University Ladies team working with players 8-13 years old.

Testimonials Highlighting Our Foundation's Impact

A man in a suit with glasses and a mustache speaking at a press conference. There's a microphone in front of him with a logo and a bottle of Gatorade on the table. Behind him is a backdrop with a sports event logo.

"It's been a real pleasure to be part of the Brendon Oreto Hockey School for the past 23 years and helping grow the love of hockey with all of the players at the camp but also paying forward and helping make hockey possible for hundreds of players with the purchase of hockey equipment and with their registration fees ! The Brendon Oreto Hockey Camp is truly a major " Difference - Maker " for hockey growth and development in our Local Fredericton area."

Gardiner MacDougall

Moncton Wildcats Head Coach

Two people in a sports equipment room, surrounded by helmets and gear, with a Reebok bench and assorted clothing on the floor.

Building Community, One Skater at a Time !

Great communities are built on the backs of great people. People who show up, who give their time, and who believe in something bigger than themselves. Today, we want to recognize one of those incredible people—Deb Connors—for her dedication and support through the Brendon Oreto Foundation.

Because of her commitment to growing the game, a group of ringette players laced up hockey skates for the very first time. Seeing their excitement, determination, and pure joy on the ice is exactly why we do this. Rink Rebels was honored to team up with the Brendon Oreto Foundation to make this happen, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity and vision of people like Deb.

A huge thank you also goes out to Mark MacNevin for helping set this up and ensuring these players had the opportunity to experience hockey in a fun, supportive environment.

This is what grassroots hockey is all about—creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and sharing our love for the game.

Thank you, Deb. Thank you, Mark. And thank you to every coach, mentor, and volunteer who continues to grow the game.

Rink Rebels

Three people holding hockey sticks in front of a sign reading 'Brendon Oreto Hockey School.' The background includes people and a partially visible sign with text.
Group of children and adults posing on an ice rink, wearing hockey gear and holding sticks, with banners hanging from the rafters above.
A young boy being fitted with hockey gear in a storage room, surrounded by helmets, pads, and other equipment. Three adults assist with fitting the gear, while another adult adjusts a helmet nearby. Shelves are filled with sports equipment and blue storage bins.

This year marks our third year being sponsored by the Brendon Oreto Foundation, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Words cannot fully express the generosity and kindness of the people involved with this incredible organization. What began as a dream through Chris Mahon and a simple phone call blossomed into the “Kids Helping Kids” program, designed to support newcomer youth and those who might otherwise miss out on the opportunity to experience hockey due to financial constraints. Chris Mahon introduced us to the Brendon Oreto Foundation, and their unwavering support has been with us ever since. Every season, they continue to reach out and ask, “How can we help?” They make it their mission to ensure every child is properly outfitted, from head to toe, no matter the financial situation. Their support has grown year after year, and this season is by far the largest yet. We are proud to have 34 youth on the ice, all filled with smiles, excitement, and determination. The smiles and drive that the Oreto Foundation has instilled in these youth is immeasurable. They now have the chance to participate in what is arguably Canada’s most beloved sport—a dream come true for so many. Thanks to this Foundation, what was once just a dream of skating and playing hockey is now a reality for these young people.

We cannot thank the Brendon Oreto Foundation enough for their ongoing commitment to our program and the kids we serve. Their kindness has made a lasting impact, and we are honored to continue this journey with them.  Special thanks to Tony Oreto, Dave Saunders, Deb Connors, Tim Cane, and Chris Mahon from Champion Hockey.

Leah Stevenson

Rural Settlement Network Grand Lake Region

Our community lost its Arena several years ago because the roof collapsed. Thankfully, insurance covered the rebuilding of our Arena. What was difficult was rebuilding our young hockey participants in the community after years without an Arena. We were introduced to the Brendon Oreto Foundation through a contact at the Stanley Hockey Association. Since the support from the Foundation in terms of the equipment swap and financial donation, the number of players registered in our program has more than doubled. This season, we opened the first satellite site for the Brendon Oreto Foundation, making equipment even more accessible. This season, we had the highest number of young players registered.

I wish you could be there while kids are getting new to them equipment, to see the faces of these kids and the excitement radiating from them, to see the relief on parents’ faces knowing their child can now play hockey. On behalf of our association and all the kids and parents supported by your program, we very humbly thank you.

Vanessa Russell

Doaktown/Boiestown Minor Hockey Association

The Brendon Oreto program has been so amazing to have. I myself have a child who decided to play hockey this year. This program made it so that my child was able to play! Hockey has been a great sport for my son to be in and he is doing so well and learning so much. I have heard other parents talk about how grateful they are that we have the Brendon Oreto program! Without it many kids would not have the opportunity to play. It is difficult to just come up with the money for all the equipment plus to keep up with how fast your child outgrows equipment. This program makes that happen. Again, I want to express how lucky we are to have this program and how grateful people are. Sports help build friendships, confidence, relieve stress, keep active, communication, teamwork and so much more. Thanks to the Brendon Oreto program forhelping make that all possible! 


Doaktown Minor Hockey Parent

Two children in winter jackets holding hockey sticks and bags, standing indoors near an ice rink.

“The Fredericton Youth Hockey Association (FYHA) is incredibly fortunate to have the ongoing support of the Brendon Oreto Foundation. Through their used equipment program, hundreds of young athletes have been outfitted with proper hockey gear, ensuring they can participate in the game they love. Additionally, the foundation has generously provided thousands of dollars in financial assistance, enabling families in need to register their children for hockey. The impact of the Brendon Oreto Foundation on our local hockey community is immeasurable, and we are proud to be associated with such a dedicated organization.”

John O’Toole
Fredericton Youth Hockey Association General Manager

"We are incredibly grateful to have received a generous funding grant from the Brendon Oreto Foundation. This season alone, we were able to help 15 families cover registration costs. Without this support, these players would not have had the opportunity to play hockey. The Foundation ensures that all kids, regardless of financial circumstances, can enjoy the game while developing valuable life skills such as teamwork, dedication, and confidence. We deeply appreciate this incredible opportunity and look forward to continuing our partnership in the future."

Shana MacKinnon
Oromocto Minor Hockey Association Treasurer

“Stanley Minor Hockey Association proudly provides over 130 children with the chance to learn and play hockey. This is made possible through the collective efforts of our Board, coaches, team staff, families, and volunteers. A special thank you to the Brendon Oreto Foundation for their ongoing support in supplying equipment, purchasing instructional materials, offering development clinics for players, goalies, and coaches, and assisting families in need. Your generosity means the world to us.”

Wendy Morell

Stanley Minor Hockey Association Treasurer

"As a volunteer, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of the Brendon Oreto Foundation. Through their support, many rural hockey players in Stanley Minor Hockey and Doaktown-Boiestown Minor Hockey have received the equipment they need. Seeing their excitement is truly rewarding. When my three daughters played minor hockey, we relied on this program to offset costs, and without it, many families like mine would not have had the opportunity to participate. The foundation is a lifeline to our community, and I cannot thank them enough."

Erica Stymiest

"This program has been a blessing. Debbie has been wonderful in organizing gear exchanges, allowing 40 players in Stanley to receive the equipment they need. We are incredibly grateful for this support."

Shelley

The Brendon Oreto Foundation has been a tremendous supporter of our small, rural hockey association. Thanks to their financial assistance, more children have been able to play hockey. They also contribute to our annual golf tournament fundraiser and actively participate in our community events. Seeing their board members at the rink cheering on our players speaks volumes about their dedication. We are truly lucky to have them as part of our hockey family.

Ruthie Bresson, BScMLS, RT, MLT
Community Schools Coordinator – Operations


The Brendon Oreto Foundation has been an invaluable resource for our small association. Our goal has always been to keep costs low so more kids can participate, and the support we receive from the Oreto Foundation is essential in helping us achieve that. Whether it's funding equipment for our extensive lending closet or assisting with registration fees for families who otherwise couldn't afford it, we are deeply grateful for the Brendon Oreto Foundation’s ongoing support.


Rebecca

Tri County Minor Hockey Association