Meadow Lake is bringing the very first NHL STREET program to Saskatchewan (NHL Street - Meadow Lake/Facebook).

By Austin Mattes

No Ice, Unlimited Fun

Meadow Lake brings NHL STREET program to Saskatchewan

Apr 30, 2025 | 12:52 PM

Hockey is hitting the pavement in a whole new way across Meadow Lake and the surrounding areas as they officially launch Saskatchewan’s very first NHL STREET program.

The NHL STREET program is an initiative, developed by the National Hockey League (NHL) and endorsed by all 32 NHL teams to provide kids with a fun, inclusive, and low-cost way to experience the thrill of hockey.

In Meadow Lake, a group of teachers came together with the idea of bringing in the program, all with the purpose of creating an accessible activity for youth in the area, said one of the organizers.

“We wanted to start something for kids that had limited barriers. In sports, there’s limitations of money, gear, talent levels, all those things, so it’s not accessible to all players. We wanted to do was bring a program to Meadow Lake that was accessible to the masses,” they said.

The program is designed for boys and girls aged six to 16 and focuses on fun, teamwork, and community while trying to encourage newcomers to try the sport. Registration has already filled up with more than 80 kids signed up and ready to play. Players will receive jerseys and sticks as part of their registration, and the games will be played on blacktop courts and local rinks with barriers, nets, soft hockey balls and other equipment provided by the initiative.

accomplishment

Mirasty to receive honourary degree from the U of R

2h ago

band politics

Bernatchez resigns as LLRIB councillor

16h ago

fire threat

Ramsey Bay ordered to evacuate

17h ago

The inaugural season in Meadow Lake will run for eight weeks, with games held every Friday and organizers said they hope to expand the program in future.

“We are running a mini season that runs eight weeks and then we will have an equal play tournament at the end of the season. We will split it up into three divisions with four teams each division and will have a U9, U11 and a U14 division. We’re just getting a feel right now and hoping that in the fall we can actually make it more of a regular thing,” organizers said.

The season kicks off on May 9 with a welcome event at Westview Park and then games will start on May 16. Organizers added that they encourage everyone to come out and see what it is all about as there is no hockey experience needed.

“All skill levels are welcome, and our program is designed to be 100 per cent recreational, allowing players of all skill levels to compete. We want to bring back that nostalgia of kids meeting up with friends on the street and playing sports and having fun. We found that our kids just aren’t doing that anymore, so we hope this gives them the opportunity,” they said.

For more information on the program, visit the NHL STREET Meadow Lake Facebook page.

—

Austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes