Doug Grandy’s – Doug Grandy was watching Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in Quebec when the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award was announced—news that sparked a surge of pride for Rink Rebels and its inclusive girls’ hockey mission.
In Quebec, at the Rattlesnakes Hockey girls’ summer tournament, Doug Grandy did what coaches do—he found a quiet moment to watch the Stanley Cup Final. On Saturday night, with the four teams he traveled with from Fredericton, N.B., the broadcast was rolling when the news hit.
During the game, the announcement came through: Grandy had won the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award.
For Grandy, the moment wasn’t abstract. Rink Rebels—a female hockey organization he co-founded—has built its momentum on exactly what the award recognizes: positive impact on community. culture. or society through hockey. The honor also carries a special connection for him and for Fredericton. since the award is named after the first Black player to break into the NHL. who also hails from Grandy’s hometown.
The Rink Rebels group’s reaction when they learned he’d won was immediate and loud—“berserk. ” as Grandy describes it. He and his best friend and co-founder. Ryan Burns. had already found out more than a week earlier. but they were forced to keep the news quiet. Only a close circle knew, until the NHL made the award official.
“It’s just such a big honour and accomplishment. and things have gone so fast for us over the last two years [since the organization was founded]. ” Grandy said. He’ll receive $30,000, which he plans to put toward Rink Rebels programming and donate a portion to local charities. “It was one of those moments. like. all the late nights. all of the conversations. all the moms and dads we talk to. and everything that we do in the background. it was just: ‘You know what?. We’re doing the right thing. We’re on the right track.’”.
Rink Rebels is built around a clear idea: non-competitive. inclusive teams for girls of all levels. where the point is fun first. with belonging and inclusion at the center. The organization uses mentors—Burns’s daughter. Ava. is a local high school player—who help participants both on and off the ice.
Programs and camps run in spring and summer, funded in part by sponsors and with help from the city. They’re staffed by volunteers, including Grandy, who works as a firefighter.
The inspiration for the organization starts at home. Grandy’s daughters, 14-year-old Ally and 12-year-old Blakely, were part of what pushed him to act. A couple of years ago, Ally told her dad, “I have nowhere to play hockey. I’m not good enough to play AAA. Where can I play?”
Grandy’s response was direct: “Let’s make that place.”
That “place” is now growing—fast enough to attract NHL attention, and soon big enough to test a louder stage. In August, Rink Rebels will host their biggest event, the Friendship Tournament. A trio of PWHL players will be in attendance: Olivia Wallin, Abby Hustler, and Marlène Boissonnault.
The tournament is planned to be more than games. There will be food trucks, dunk tanks, and even a mini-putt course set up outside Willie O’Ree Place. This year’s tournament has expanded by 10 teams compared to last, and Grandy says he was able to secure more ice time and sponsors.
“We’ve got all kinds of fun stuff happening and, again, it’s not about the hockey,” the 42-year-old said. “It’s about getting together as a community and really enjoying being together, the friendship of it all.
“For me, if a girl walks out after our programs and they’re a great hockey player, that’s fantastic. But if they walk out and they’re ready for life. they’re ready for the next chapter because we’ve given them confidence or strength or mental fortitude. that is worth more than being a better hockey player in my eyes.”.
Grandy also wants the message to spread through partnerships beyond his own organization. He hopes to one day partner with a league like the PWHL to help further inclusion in the sport. “I think it’s much needed. the different look at hockey. making sure girls feel more welcome around rinks. ” he said. “That, to me, is the ultimate goal: to make it bigger and get more girls involved.”.
The girls already involved feel the recognition as something personal. “I see these kids that we’ve worked so hard to provide a good place for and then seeing them be happy for what we’ve done — it’s pretty incredible,” Grandy said.
Later, after he learned he’d won the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, Grandy shared the news with his family. He was in the car driving to dinner that night with his wife, Fallon, plus Blakely and Ally when he told them.
“My youngest was happily in tears, and Ally was just like ‘Oh my god! Oh my god!’” he recalled. “Their arms came up in the front seat to give me a big hug while I was driving. My wife teared up a little because she was like, ‘That’s what you do it for, right?’”
Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award Doug Grandy Rink Rebels PWHL Olivia Wallin Abby Hustler Marlène Boissonnault Friendship Tournament Willie O’Ree Place Fredericton girls hockey inclusive sports
Wait so he won like… for community stuff? good for him i guess.
This is awesome, girls hockey needs more of this. I didn’t even know that Willie O’Ree award was a thing, but $30k is real money. Love seeing Fredericton get mentioned too.
I’m confused though, wasn’t Willie O’Ree like the first Black goalie or something? Anyway, feels like these awards are just marketing for hockey. Still, if it helps girls’ programs then whatever.
My kid plays rec and it’s always the same—late nights, parents doing everything, and then one random award drops during the Stanley Cup. “berserk” is accurate lol. Also they said he was forced to keep it quiet for a week?? sounds like PR rules, but hey, glad he put it back into the program and charities.