An obstacle in growing hockey participation is the expense of playing the sport. Whether it’s for equipment, ice time or membership fees, the reality is that fewer families can afford to have their children play hockey than other sports.
While USA Hockey makes efforts to make the sport more accessible, it never hurts to receive outside help. The USA Hockey Foundation recently received a generous contribution from Brett Barakett, a Canadian expat who raises his hockey-playing children in Connecticut. Barakett decided to share some of the success he’s achieved founding an investment management company with a $5,000 donation to the Foundation.
“I think we all have a responsibility to give back, whether that be through our time or our money,” Barakett said. “Either we coach, or if we can’t coach because we haven’t played the game, maybe we want to be the team mom or the team dad or the manager or work the scoreboard. And if you can afford it, you try to help out (with a donation), which can give more kids the ability to play and help those who cannot afford it.”
For Barakett, his donation had a lot to do with giving back to a sport that he believes has enabled him to be at a place in life where he can afford to give back to begin with.
“I think that hockey a great preparation for life,” Barakett said. “Hockey is a way we learn about things like sportsmanship, competitiveness, teamwork, grit, adversity and hard work. You win with grace and you learn to lose with grace. You learn that you get knocked down, or you lose a game, but you get back up and get in the next game. And you keep trying.
“Hockey has been fundamental in me developing professionally, so I wanted to give back.”
Barakett’s donation will help provide organizations across the United States with grants, as well as assist in player development, education and opportunities for youth hockey in America. You can give back and make a donation, and an impact, here.
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