--- title: "Rink Rebels Claim NHL O’Ree Award for Girls’ Hockey" description: "Doug Grandy’s Rink Rebels secured the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, directing $30,000 to girls’ hockey programs and charities." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/we-re-on-the-right-track-o-ree-winner-grandy-reflects-on-dce6cee1 published: 2026-06-30T00:11:41.217+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T00:11:41.217+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Rink Rebels Claim NHL O’Ree Award for Girls’ Hockey > Doug Grandy’s Rink Rebels secured the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, directing $30,000 to girls’ hockey programs and charities. Doug Grandy and his Rink Rebels female hockey organization earned the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, a recognition for championing inclusion in youth hockey. The award carries a $30,000 prize, which Grandy says will be earmarked for expanding girls’ hockey programs and supporting local charities. The initiative began when his daughter, Ally, asked where she could play hockey after being turned away from AAA teams, prompting Grandy to launch a grassroots effort to make the sport accessible to all girls. Rink Rebels, co‑founded by Grandy, has partnered with sponsors such as Hyundai and collaborated with the PWHL to provide equipment, ice time, and mentorship. The organization also works with community leaders like Ryan Burns to identify underserved neighborhoods and deliver free clinics, aiming to lower cost barriers and foster a welcoming environment for female players. The hockey community welcomed the award, noting that Grandy’s personal mission has sparked a broader movement toward equity. Coaches and parents alike see the $30,000 infusion as a catalyst for lasting change, encouraging other clubs to adopt similar inclusive models. Industry analysts point to the $30,000 injection as a modest yet symbolic boost in a sport where female participation lags behind male counterparts. According to USA Hockey, girls accounted for just 19% of registered players in 2023, and cost barriers remain a primary deterrent. Grandy’s targeted funding, combined with Hyundai’s corporate backing, could help bridge that gap by subsidizing equipment and ice time for low‑income families. The partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) also signals a growing synergy between grassroots and professional women’s hockey. By leveraging PWHL’s brand and mentorship network, Rink Rebels can offer aspiring players a clearer pathway to elite competition, reinforcing the NHL’s broader diversity agenda and encouraging other clubs to seek similar alliances. Beyond the immediate grant, Grandy’s win dovetails with the NHL’s multi‑year inclusion strategy, which has earmarked millions for community programs and set a goal of increasing female participation by 10% over the next five years. Past O’Ree winners have focused on racial equity; Grandy’s gender‑focused effort expands the award’s scope, signaling that the league sees inclusion as a multi‑dimensional imperative. Economically, the $30,000 seed money multiplies when paired with in contributions and volunteer labor. Hyundai’s sponsorship covers equipment costs, while local businesses provide ice‑time discounts, effectively stretching each dollar to serve dozens of girls. This leveraged model not only reduces financial barriers but also creates a sustainable ecosystem where community stakeholders share ownership of the sport’s growth. What’s next: Grandy plans to allocate the funds to launch a summer camp for girls aged 8‑14, expand the Rink Rebels’ scholarship pool, and host a regional tournament that showcases talent from under‑represented areas, signaling a sustained push for cultural shift in youth hockey. ## Why this matters Grandy’s award highlights how a single family’s curiosity can ignite a nationwide drive for gender equity in hockey. By directing prize money into programs that lower financial and competitive barriers, the Rink Rebels model demonstrates that community‑led initiatives can reshape youth sports culture, making the game more inclusive and sustainable for future generations of girls. ## Frequently asked ### What is the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award? The NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award honors individuals or groups that make significant contributions to diversity and inclusion in hockey, providing a $30,000 grant to support their initiatives. ### Who are the Rink Rebels? Rink Rebels is a female‑focused hockey organization co‑founded by Doug Grandy, dedicated to providing affordable ice time, equipment, and mentorship to girls of all skill levels. ### How will the $30,000 prize be used? Grandy plans to fund girls’ hockey programs, expand scholarships, support local charities, and host community clinics and tournaments that lower barriers to participation. ## Sources & Citations - ['We're on the right track': O'Ree-winner Grandy reflects on Rink Rebels' impact](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/were-on-the-right-track-oree-winner-grandy-reflects-on-rink-rebels-impact/) — TheNewsAPI.com (2026-06-07) --- Cite: Rink Rebels Claim NHL O’Ree Award for Girls’ Hockey. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/we-re-on-the-right-track-o-ree-winner-grandy-reflects-on-dce6cee1