Maritime Junior Hockey League’s First Metalfab First Responder’s Appreciation Week
At the center of every Canadian community is a proud hockey team and a dedicated team of first responders. Like our Canadian hockey teams, our communities’ first responders work tirelessly to face extreme obstacles head on and emerge from each challenge victorious. Their trophy, of course, is the lives they save every day. At Metalfab, we couldn’t be more grateful for the contribution of each and every Canadian first responder.
As many of you know, Metalfab is a proud sponsor of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). Partnered with fire departments and their communities for over 50 years, Metalfab has been a sponsor of the MHL since May 2021. It is just one way we give back to our dedicated fire service community.
If you’re unfamiliar with the MHL, here’s some history on the organization. The MHL was formed in Nova Scotia in 1967 as a Junior B league. They ascended to Junior A status in 1977 and expanded into New Brunswick in 1983. Summerside PEI was added to the league in 1991. MHL has hosted the Royal Bank Cup and the Centennial Cup 7 times, winning in both 1997 and 2002. Today, MHL is one of 10 leagues in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and comprises 132 teams and 2,600 players. The league aspires to be known as the premier Junior A hockey league in Canada.
Since its inception, the MHL has provided opportunities for players to advance their post-secondary education and hockey development at the U Sports (a national governing body of university sport in Canada) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level. Almost 40 percent of all players are between 16 and 18 years old, so the league prepares them to play in the “big leagues” with larger and older players across the country. We have teams in every province across Canada, and games are held nationwide.
In addition to our involvement with the MHL, Metalfab is extremely proud to work with first responders across the board. The work each firefighter, paramedic, and law enforcement officer contributes in times of need is incredibly selfless and extraordinarily courageous, and we want to recognize the incredible work they do every day.
We are so honored to partner with these pillars of our Canadian communities through each and every unit of safety apparatus we produce. Although Metalfab works primarily with Canadian fire departments, we recognize every first responder as the hometown hero they are and appreciate their invaluable contribution to keeping our communities calm, protected, and safe. We are truly blessed to work in this industry and have the opportunity to serve those who have devoted their whole lives to serving us all.
As we all know too well, COVID has impacted day-to-day life for everyone. However, this has been especially true for our first response teams. In addition to the standard, everyday lifesaving, COVID has thrust a flurry of new health and safety challenges upon first responders, and we’ve watched every single one of them rise to the occasion and do what needs to be done to see us all through these exceptionally difficult times. We cannot thank you enough, but that won’t stop us from trying.
To all the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and rescuers, we see you and we salute you. On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our gratitude and thank you so very, very much.
By supporting the MHL, you, too, are supporting our dedicated first responders. Each team that participates in the weekly home game is offering a salutation to these community cornerstones. If you are not playing in the league, you can still show your support by participating in MHL fundraising events such as the team jersey silent auction. After each game, the jerseys that each team wears will be auctioned off on respective social media platforms and the funds raised from these auctions will go directly toward supporting your local fire service.
FUN FACT: Each jersey will feature one Metalfab Fire Truck from a local department in addition to tributes to law enforcement, paramedics, and other community service providers.
With over 50 years of experience, Metalfab provides the tools and resources fire departments need to make the right investments for their crews and communities. Our mission is to help you serve the needs of your fire department while working within your community’s budget. To learn more about how you can get involved with MHL, visit their website at themhl.ca or reach out directly to Metalfab’s Business Development Manager, Ryan Stacey, at rastacey@metalfabfiretrucks.com for more information.
