Subban teams up with Hyundai to help kids

By Mitch Gallo, September 12th, 2012

Montreal Canadiens defenceman PK Subban was at the Verdun Auditorium last Thursday morning to help launch the Hyundai Hockey Helpers, which provides funds to 1,000 under-resourced Canadian youth to play hockey.
“It's a great feeling, I feel like I'm doing my part and being responsible as a role model in both Montreal and on a national level,” said Subban. “It's pretty cool; myself and my family are thrilled to be a part of this.”
PK isn't the only member of the Subban family involved, his father Karl and his brother Malcolm who is a recent first round pick of the Boston Bruins are also teaming up for the initiative.
The program will provide grants for registration fees and equipment costs in order to lower the financial barriers that prevent youth from participating in organized sports.
The Subbans struggled to play organized hockey growing up due to the high costs. Karl had to work multiple jobs and spent his nights taking his sons to practice at a public arena in downtown Toronto.
“My parents never let us now about their struggles, there might have been times when we almost lost our house but I never knew,” said Subban. “They sacrificed a lot growing up, I actually thought we were rich because I always got new skates and news sticks, they always found a way because they sacrificed. I can't complain about anything and neither can the rest of my siblings. We had great parents, and this program will help out a lot of those great parents.”
Of the 1,000 kids that the program is designed to help, 265 are from Quebec. Hyundai Dealers and Hyundai Auto Canada is covering all administrations costs and grants, 100 percent of every dollar donated will go directly to KidSports to help more kids play hockey.
“We felt that it's important because sports play a huge role in the development of children, not just for the fun or exercise but it teaches them a lot of skills that they really wouldn't get without getting involved in a team atmosphere,” said Steve Kelleher, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada.  “Specifically hockey because it's very restrictive with financial barriers so it seemed like a perfect fit to help those people.”
Subban meanwhile has been steadily increasing his philanthropic ventures, visiting Haiti last summer for the Hockey for Haiti program, with Nike's Livestrong program dedicated to cancer survivors and planning to start his own foundation.
“I know that in the end of the day it makes me feel better about what I do,” said Subban.