TORONTO (September 16, 2026) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association’s charitable arm, NHLPA Goals & Dreams, and Clark Park Coalition hosted a special community hockey event to celebrate the legacy of former longtime NHLPA Executive Director Bob Goodenow.
On Tuesday, NHLPA Goals & Dreams formally announced a two-season $50,000 equipment donation of 35 full sets of equipment in each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons to Clark Park Coalition’s youth hockey program. Additionally, NHLPA Goals & Dreams announced at the event a five-year commitment to continue supporting Clark Park Coalition’s youth hockey program through new hockey equipment, helping future generations experience the game in seasons to come.
“Hockey is a game that inspires people and brings them together,” said NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh. “We’re proud to celebrate Bob Goodenow’s legacy by giving back to the game he loved with the NHLPA Goals & Dreams’ equipment donation to Clark Park Coalition’s youth hockey program, helping support the next generation of hockey players in Detroit.”
The event was held at Clark Park Coalition’s outdoor rink nearly one year since Goodenow’s passing on Sept. 13, 2025. Attendees included Clark Park youth hockey players and their families, members of the Goodenow family, NHLPA representatives, Clark Park leaders, former NHL players Justin Abdelkader, Danny DeKeyser, Mike Liut, Bryan Smolinski, Craig Wolanin and community partners.
Goodenow’s personal connection to the Clark Park program spanned generations: from his father skating at the rink in the 1930s to his grandson scoring his first goal at Clark Park. As part of this week’s celebrations, representatives from the NHLPA and Clark Park were joined by broadcaster Trevor Thompson to present a plaque that memorializes Bob Goodenow and his connection to the Detroit-based program to the Goodenow family.
The former NHL players also joined youth hockey players from the Clark Park Hockey Program on the outdoor rink for a game of ball hockey.
Established in 1992, Clark Park Coalition is a non-profit organization that provides recreational, educational and mentorship programs to the Southwest Detroit community. It offers a free hockey program for youth players on the last regulation-sized outdoor ice rink in Metro Detroit. Clark Park Coalition is a partner of the Detroit Recreation Department.
Prior to his passing, Goodenow initiated Clark Park’s application to NHLPA Goals & Dreams – the players’ charitable program that he co-founded in 1999 – for the latest equipment donation.
