Geertsen Opportunity Foundation

31/12/2025

That’s a wrap on the inaugural year of the Geertsen Opportunity Foundation! 🎉🏒

Starting this Foundation has been a dream come true for our family. We can’t say thank you enough for the support we have received - every donation, every like, share, & comment, every hour that our volunteers put in has made this dream of being able to make high quality hockey training more accessible come true.

Our first free camp in Drayton Valley was such a success and we’re just getting started!! Keep your eyes out for more to come from the GeertsyOps team in 2026 👏🏼

24/09/2025

A new season has begun, and the Geertsen crew is bursting with pride and excitement. Gold, blue, and a whole lot of heart. Watching Mason in that Sabres jersey feels like watching a dream come full circle, his new home that already fits just right.

But what truly makes this moment shine is how far he’s come, from facing down cancer to now stepping onto one of the biggest stages in hockey. That courage, that persistence, it’s everything.

We can’t wait to cheer him on for every shift, for every hit, for every moment that proves the heart of a fighter is stronger than any challenge. Let this season be a testament to his strength, his resilience, and the power of never giving up.

Here’s to Mason, to the Sabres, to the journey ahead. We are excited to have everyone we have crossed paths with to help us cheer him on! 🦬💛💙

16/08/2025

✨The Heart & Hustle Award ✨

At this year’s free hockey camp in Drayton Valley, we introduced something incredibly special, the Heart & Hustle Award, given in honour of a man who embodied exactly that: Tim Alberts.

Tim wasn’t just a hockey guy. He was a heart and soul kind of person, the kind of father, grandfather, husband, brother, son, and friend who showed up for people with everything he had. He lived with grit, gave with love, and left a mark on every life he touched.

This award isn’t about the flashiest goals or the fastest skater. It’s about playing with heart, working with hustle, and carrying yourself with the same passion and spirit Tim brought into every room he walked into.

For our winners, receiving this award is more than recognition — it’s an honour, a legacy, and a reminder that the game (and life) are bigger than just the score.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients — may you continue to play and live the way Tim did: with heart, hustle, and purpose.

💥MVP💥

This isn’t just about being the “best player on the ice.”
It’s about showing up with relentless effort, an unshakable attitude, and the mindset to win every battle—on and off the ice.

At camp, one player from each group was recognized with a hockey stick carrying this message, gifted by Mason Geertsen. Only six kids earned this honour—our version of MVP.

Not because of their skill alone, but because of who they are as teammates, leaders, and people. 🏒💙

These young athletes carry more than a stick home… they carry a legacy of heart, hustle, and character that will follow them far beyond the rink.

15/08/2025

6 groups. Over 160 kids. One amazing town.

We are so proud of every single one of these kids who showed up for our inaugural Geertsen Opportunity Foundation Camp. Seeing the hard work and determination out there inspired us all. Our hearts are full after this week and we can’t thank the Drayton Valley Community enough for their support.

This is what it means to play hockey for a purpose! 💙

08/08/2025

📣 COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️

Dysin grew up in Victoria, BC before he began playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings, where he played for four seasons. He was apart of their WHL and Memorial cup championship in 2014 before being drafted to the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round.

Since then he has played nine seasons professionally between the Tucson Roadrunners, Arizona Coyotes and most recently the Henderson Silver Knights. In 2022 he represented Team Canada at the World Championship, bringing home silver. He recently signed a one year deal with Columbus Blue Jackets.

He now calls Fort Saskatchewan home and looks forward to supporting his friend and former teammate, Mason, in his inaugural year of the Geertsen Opportunity Foundation camp.

30/07/2025

📣 COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️

GeertsyOps is so excited to have Brandon Hickey joining us for the Drayton Valley Camp!

Growing up in Leduc Alberta, Brandon played all his minor hockey in Leduc, a place he still calls home in the offseason. After that he spent 2 seasons in Spruce Grove playing for the Saints, before earning a scholarship to Boston University. There he spent 4 years and served as Captain during his final year.

Since turning professional he’s played for the Rochester Americans, Chicago Wolves, Henderson Silver knights, Abbotsford Canucks, and won the Kelly cup in 2023 with the Florida Everblades. He is excited to be able to help pass on his love for hockey to the next generation through the Geertsen Opportunity Foundation and honoured to be able to support his friend and former teammate Mason.

25/07/2025

📣Coaching Announcement 🏒

GeertsyOps is so excited to welcome Robert Cain to the coaching staff for this camp. As a Drayton Valley native Robert has not only been a figure in the community today, but he has grown through the hockey community, having played minor hockey and Jr in Drayton Valley.
Robert went from playing minor hockey in Drayton Valley and then moving on to play AAA in Leduc. Through that age of his life he won the Alberta Cup on the same team as Mason and he even went on to play in the prestigious Telus Cup National Midget AAA tournament. Robert started his Jr A career with the Camrose Kodiaks and then made the move over to the Drayton Valley Thunder.

To this day Robert is a supporter of the Drayton Valley Thunder and the community. He obtained his Electrician ticket and now works as on operator while running a grater business.

We are so excited to have Robert on the ice to help these kids build foundational skills on the ice that they will take with them throughout their whole hockey career.

21/07/2025

🏒 CAMP COACH ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️
We’re so excited to have Jett Jones joining us on the ice for our Drayton Valley camp!

Jett grew up on his family’s cattle farm located North of Edmonton, a place he continues to call home and contribute to during the offseason. Jones spent four seasons with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, serving as captain for two of those years. Over the past two years, he’s continued his development across both the ECHL and AHL. Heading into his third season of professional hockey, Jett has signed with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. Jett is honoured to support former teammate Mason and his family in the inaugural Geertsen Opportunity Foundation hockey camp. He is excited to be part of the camp’s launch, helping inspire and develop the next generation of young players.

17/07/2025

*Announcement*
Dryland Trainer has been secured 🔒
Richelle Cygan is going to be treating all of the kids at the Geertsen Opportunity Foundation Camp this summer to TWO dry land training sessions. We are so excited to be partnering with Richelle and her extensive knowledge to help start all of the athletes in their off ice training journey.

Richelle is based out of Spruce Grove and throughout this summer, Mason’s niece has been able to witness her passion and pride that she takes in every athlete that enters any of her programs. She works with athletes from many different sports, age groups and levels.

Go and giver her page a follow and help us welcome her to this amazing camp!

30/06/2025

Today is the last day to order merch! All proceeds go back to the Foundation to help put on free hockey camps for kids!

Order here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8fozcDn7jrKT1FEn9fMh-NMNdFqTdN4wUyq9S9JVEPK7uCw/viewform?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLPsDRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp4azkYuTaKv0ILYw6lsZWs-kbxzgYGS3rgXBi30SQpHTd2nQifgRebDxb7cm_aem_uNorhSlJwhpwtF4PR8uQhA

16/06/2025

Pub Night Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geertsyops-pub-night-oil-country-taphouse-tickets-1406378007479?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwK9LI1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp37mzngaxzWPgl6etL4I6_llgqhQRsBLrKgiXKu86MTGnewy7AN5mYHsws6u_aem_ruuhpwNoMyt0f2uVJnRuWw

🎉 Pub Night for a Purpose – OCT x The Geertsen Opportunity Foundation! 🍻

Join us for an unforgettable evening of good drinks, great company, and even better purpose at the Oil Country Taphouse!

The Geertsen Crew is hosting a Pub Night, and you’re invited! This is the perfect chance to raise a glass for a cause. All proceeds from the night go to the Geertsen Opportunity Foundation – helping more kids gain access to high-quality hockey camps and skill building.

Bring your friends, teammates, and community spirit – and let’s make a difference together.
Tickets are $25.00, which includes the price of entry and one drink. This is an 18+ event.

Head to this link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geertsyops-pub-night-oil-country-taphouse-tickets-1406378007479?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwK0IMdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp87ln1KvR5maqrfLg0RtOQ5wS5Cyb75KRZfrubkw6OGBiD4a_Nc7feiIYBdo_aem_1ingvnAayw40LUjGrGWMOg to purchase your tickets - Space is limited, so grab your tickets early and join us in giving back while enjoying a night out! We will also have the Silent Auction items there for you to put some final bids in!

Let’s raise a glass to opportunity. We can’t wait to catch up with everyone!