Rink Rebels

05/31/2026

🚨 BIG NEWS COMING THIS WEEK 🚨

We've been working on something special for Icebreaker Friendship weekend, and we're finally ready to share it.

A major announcement connected to tournament weekend will be revealed later this week.

While this is a separate event from the tournament itself, participants registered for the Icebreaker Friendship Tournament will receive first access before registration opens to the public.

Let's just say it will be a unique opportunity for players to learn, connect, and create memories that will last long after the weekend is over.

With the Rink Rebels... you never know who's going to walk through the doors.

📅 August 6th
📍 Fredericton, NB

Stay tuned.

Fredericton Capital Region Tourism
Fredericton Playhouse

05/30/2026

05/28/2026

Friendship Medal Spotlight

Makayla McCarthy
U11A Forward
Western Riptide Female Hockey Association
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

Awarded By: QC Whitecaps Teal

Makayla earned the Friendship Medal for her fast passing, determination, and never give up attitude.

Starting hockey later than many of her teammates never stopped Makayla from chasing her goals. From the beginning, she has worked hard every single time she steps on the ice, doing whatever it takes to improve and keep pushing herself forward.

Makayla gives 100 percent every game and every practice, both as a player and as a teammate. Her dedication, effort, and love for the game shine through in everything she does.

What stands out most is the joy she brings to the rink. You can see it in her smile, her energy, and the way she competes for her teammates every shift. Makayla represents exactly what the Friendship Medal is all about through hard work, positivity, sportsmanship, and passion for hockey.

Congratulations Makayla. Keep working hard, keep smiling, and keep inspiring others through your determination and love for the game.

Where girls hockey belongs.

05/26/2026

Friendship Medal Spotlight

Abby Pauls
U11A Defense
Metro East Inferno Female Hockey U11A
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Awarded By: Western Riptide

Abby was selected for the Friendship Medal after an opposing player noticed her encouraging her goalie and showing respect during play, even in the middle of competition.

Abby plays with energy and determination, but what truly stands out is the way she treats the people around her. She encourages teammates, respects opponents, and carries herself with kindness and positivity every time she steps on the ice.

This season, Abby set a personal goal to become a top sportsmanship player, making this recognition especially meaningful to her. Being recognized by an opposing player made the moment even more special.

Over the years, Abby has continued to grow her love for hockey and brings that passion into every practice and game. She is always eager to learn, compete, and improve while never losing sight of what it means to be a great teammate.

The Friendship Medal represents character, respect, effort, and love for the game. Abby represents all of those qualities in a special way.

Congratulations Abby. Keep competing hard, supporting others, and leading by example.

Where girls hockey belongs.

05/24/2026

Fredericton’s own Doug Grandy has the opportunity to bring the NHL Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award back home to our city.

Doug’s impact on female hockey has been incredible — creating opportunities, building confidence, growing the game, and inspiring young athletes not only in Fredericton, but in communities across Canada through the Rink Rebels movement.

I recently had the opportunity to work alongside the Rink Rebels, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a content creator. The excitement, friendships, family atmosphere, and pure joy surrounding the program is something truly special to witness.

We also had the chance to sit down with Ally & Blakely Grandy to hear more about the Rink Rebels story and the impact this movement is having within the hockey community:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CE2L4AjVQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We are now in the FINAL HOURS of voting, and every single vote matters.

⬇️ CAST YOUR VOTE HERE ⬇️
www.nhl.com/oreeaward

Let’s show the hockey world what this community is all about and help bring this award home to Fredericton. 💙

NHL Media

05/24/2026

📍Fredericton, let’s bring it home.

This is what the girls hockey movement looks like.

Willie O’Ree’s story began right here in Fredericton, and his legacy continues to inspire people across the hockey world today. Now we have a chance to bring the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award back to Willie’s hometown.

These girls are the reason this matters.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, shared, and believed in this movement.

Final hours to vote:
nhl.com/OReeAward

Where girls hockey belongs. Join the Rebellion.

05/24/2026

Championship Sunday at the NB Women's Cup Tournament/Tournoi de la Coupe féminine du Nouveau-Brunswick powered by Rink Rebels.

Best of luck to everyone competing today. We hope you had a great weekend, made some memories, and enjoyed being part of this event alongside more than 350 athletes from across Canada and the United States.

Safe travels to all teams and families heading home. Thank you for being part of it, and we can’t wait to see you again next year.

05/24/2026

Thank you everyone.

First off, I want to say it has been an honour to be a finalist alongside Vinnie and Sonny.

Over the past two weeks, it has been incredible to watch communities from all across Canada come together through hockey. In many ways, this journey has become about something much bigger than the award itself.

If you have not already, please take the time to learn about Vinnie and Sonny and the impact they continue to make. What they have built in their communities is inspiring and deserves to be celebrated.

They have created opportunities, opened doors, and built spaces where people feel accepted, supported, and connected through the game of hockey.

Hockey has the power to change lives. It connects people from all backgrounds, communities, and experiences through one shared passion. There is still important work to do in continuing to create equal opportunities for everyone in this game, and moments like this show what is possible when people choose to build something bigger than themselves.

I truly believe there is a place in hockey for everyone.

Whether you are a young kid stepping on the ice for the first time, a player chasing big dreams, a parent in the stands, or someone who simply loves being around the game, hockey has a way of building confidence, creating memories, and bringing people together.

The most important thing we can do is continue making the game better and making sure every child feels welcomed when they walk into a rink.

At Rink Rebels, we have always believed in building confident female hockey players through culture and community. Building character, leadership, and strong young women. A place for all girls.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help shine a light on the continued growth of female hockey and the importance of creating equal opportunities for young girls across Canada through this game.

For a long time, many girls simply wanted more opportunities to feel seen, valued, and believed in through hockey. Watching so many people come together behind that message over these past two weeks is something I will never forget.

To every young athlete who believed in this movement and every family who supported it along the way, thank you.

Thank you to the volunteers, rink staff, coaches, community leaders, parents, and supporters who continue giving their time and energy to young athletes every single day. You are the reason hockey continues to have such a powerful impact on so many lives.

This movement has never been about one person. It has always been about creating environments where young athletes can grow, feel supported, and develop a lifelong love for the game.

Being recognized as a finalist for the NHL Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award is an honour I will carry with me forever.

Thank you to the NHL, NHLUnites, Hyundai Canada, and everyone involved with the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for helping shine a light on stories and communities that are working to make hockey more welcoming and inclusive for the next generation.

Thank you to everyone who supported this journey and helped inspire young girls across Canada to continue dreaming bigger through hockey.

I truly hope this momentum continues. I hope people continue investing in girls hockey, supporting one another, and continuing to push the game forward for the next generation.

The game of hockey has given so many of us friendships, purpose, confidence, and memories that will last a lifetime. If we keep working together and continue putting young athletes first, the future of this game is incredibly bright.

To everyone continuing to advocate for better opportunities for their daughters, thank you. Keep believing in them. Keep supporting them. You are not alone, and there are so many people continuing to push this game forward.

For one final day, we ask for your support and your vote as we continue trying to shine a light on the importance of creating better opportunities for young girls in hockey across Canada.

nhl.com/OReeAward

No matter what happens, this movement already won.

Thank you for believing in girls hockey, for believing in this movement, and for helping prove that when people come together through sport, incredible things can happen.

Where girls hockey belongs. Join the Rebellion.