Hasham has played the game his entire life, including at the University of Northern British Columbia. After a working career in charitable and community causes, he has since turned his passion for the game and new Canadians into Hockey 4 Youth. While there are many start-up programs across Canada, there were previously few openings for teenagers to get their first taste of the sport.
The program, which has backing from the NHL, the NHL players’ association, city recreational departments and corporate sponsors including Canadian Tire and Scotiabank, provides resources and opportunities for teenagers to try the game. More than 600 students have participated since 2015, including 65 at Gloucester, Ridgemont and Ottawa Tech High Schools in Ottawa. Woodroffe could come on board in September.
Students in the program have roots in Syria, Lebanon, Vietnam, Mexico, Somalia, Ethiopia and Barbados.
Hasham is over the moon that one of the Ottawa students, Rhouba El Khatib, is speaking about her experiences at a panel discussion Saturday at The Hockey Summit on Diversity and Belonging.
The three-day event, hosted by the R.I.S.E. Academy, is giving a voice to those who have often felt like they’re on the outside looking in at the sport and finding paths to make Canada’s game safer and more inclusive.
[Read the full article - Weekend hockey summit focuses on diversity, belonging and fun for everyone]