Professional hockey player Ryan O’Byrne believes in giving back in a big way.
On Saturday, the Ryan O’Byrne Youth Sports Society donated 26 sets of hockey gear to deserving youth in the community as part of the NHLPA Gear Presentation
To date, the society, in partnership with the NHLPA, KidSport Greater Victoria and Kirby’s Source for Sports, has given out more than 80 sets of hockey gear and raised over $100,000 to support kids in need.
CIBC Wood Gundy has stepped up as the title sponsor and will be donating $15,000. The ROCC team is hoping to raise $30,000 to fund hockey registration fees this fall.
“Through the Ryan O’Byrne Youth Sport Society in partnership with the NHLPA and KidSport Victoria, I am very proud, for fourth year in a row, to be able to donate 26 sets of hockey gear to deserving children in our community. I believe that all children should have the opportunity to be involved in sports” said O’Byrne.
O’Byrne has played in the NHL with Montreal, Colorado and Toronto. He has played the last two years in Prague and Switzerland.
O’Byrne played his entire minor hockey career in the Victoria region, including junior with the Victoria Grizzlies and Nanaimo Clippers.