Red Deer Polytechnic Kings hockey goaltender Arik Weersink has given back to the community following the conclusion of the season.
Before the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season, Weersink committed to donating a dollar for every save made during the regular season to the Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind (ASRAB).
Following his fifth and final season in net he did just that after making 265 saves in the regular season and 141 more in the playoffs enroute to back-to-back ACAC titles.
The Logan Boulet Inclusive Education Fund also jumped on board with a 50-cent donation per save bringing the total funds to over $600.
“This donation will go towards ice time and is almost enough for two practices. This contribution also helps to lower participant fees which keeps the parasport of Blind Hockey accessible,” said ASRAB’s director of competitive sport, Dustin Butterfield in a media release.
The ASRAB is a non-profit organization that provides sports and recreation opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in central Alberta.
Since Weersink kicked off the initiative he’s been a regular at practices at ASRAB helping coach and work with not only the goaltenders but the rest of the hockey players.
Butterfield said they’re lucky to have him.
“He is genuine, approachable, and a good leader. He is good with the players and has succeeded in adapting to the challenges of trying new drills too. He is very knowledgeable and has really helped our goalie.”
Weersink explained that working with the organization has been a blast.
“They accepted me immediately and taught me about the slight differences between hockey and Blind Hockey. As the year went on, I got more comfortable with leading practices and scrimmages. They are amazing people and a great organization.”
Weersink was also named the league MVP of the playoffs and hopes to continue his work with the ASRAB while he attends optometry school in the fall.