Tuesday night Hockey Canada made a pair of donations to the Morden and Altona Minor Hockey Associations.

"The grants that we are giving out around the Esso Cup is part of our grassroots initiative where we identify three national championships each year. Then we provide an application process for the region surrounding the host city so we can try to leave a bit of a legacy within those areas, for having held those championships," said Hockey Canada Foundation Treasurer Allan Matthews.  "It also gives an opportunity to assist the local minor hockey associations either with some skill development in their association or with some registration enticements or recruitment enticements in bringing more people to the game."

Over $5,000 was donated between the two and Altona Minor Hockey president Jason Pilkington was happy to see Hockey Canada see the value of putting money back into the associations, which is where all the memberships start from.

The Altona Maroons Minor Hockey Association will be using its $3,620 to purchase rink dividers for its younger hockey programs.

"We see that as a great way to support the Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba initiatives around small playing surfaces for initiation and novice,'' said Pilkington. "We will use them throughout our minor hockey system as well to create separate areas on the ice to allow us to work on skill development and small area games."

Meanwhile, Morden Minor Hockey received $2,200 from Hockey Canada and female hockey chair Morgan Mullin is very thankful to receive the support.

"We will be using it for a new learn to skate program and to develop our female hockey program within Morden Minor Hockey," said Mullin.

Mullin noted the learn to skate program is important because it's a way for younger kids to learn how to skate and introduced to hockey younger. She added it also allows the kids an opportunity to fall in love with hockey and stay in the sport longer.

Photo taken by Dennis Pajot/Hockey Canada Images