Battlefords North Stars players during a home game at the Access Communications Centre in North Battleford. (photo/Kristel Scheafer Photography)

By Kenneth Cheung

FAMILY CARE PASS

North Stars, healthcare foundation team up to quietly offer care through hockey

Jan 20, 2026 | 5:15 PM

A new partnership in the Battlefords is quietly offering families and individuals a night of hockey, not as a promotion or fundraiser, but as a gesture of care.

The Battlefords Healthcare Foundation and the Battlefords North Stars have launched the North Stars Family Care Pass, a program designed to give people facing difficult moments a chance to step away, without questions or conditions.

Under the initiative, the Foundation holds a set of reserved North Stars tickets and distributes them at its discretion to individuals and families who may benefit from a sense of normalcy.

That includes people dealing with illness, loss or recovery, those navigating mental health challenges, and health-care workers who could use a break.

There is no application process, no public recognition and no requirement to explain personal circumstances. Organizers say the focus is on presence rather than promotion, creating space for people to simply attend a game without being singled out.

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“At the foundation, we see every day how much people carry, often quietly,” said Leanne Ducommun, executive director of the foundation.

“This initiative is about meeting people where they are, without asking them to explain or justify their need. It’s a simple gesture, but one rooted in dignity, trust, and compassion. Sometimes what helps most is being reminded that your community is still holding you.”

The North Stars say their role is to provide a welcoming environment and help ensure the program remains respectful and ongoing.

“Hockey has always been about community, and this partnership allows us to extend that sense of belonging beyond the rink,” said Isabel Smith, the team’s marketing manager.

(submitted)

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com