Who are NJ5 and why are we doing this tournament is support of their Foundation?
For this tournament, we will be donating some of the tournament proceeds to NJ5. NJ5 is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the involvement of youth in community sports with a strong emphasis in mental health.
There will be activities run by NJ5 on the Saturday inside the Pad 1 arena where anyone can try some off ice skill challenges and on Sunday, from 8 am - 2 pm, NJ5 will be set up in the Fishpond with other activities and information on Mental Health.
NJ stands for Nolan Jewell and 5 was his hockey number. Nolan, although you couldn't see if from the outside, struggled internally with Mental Health issues. Sadly, Nolan took his own life at a young age, so his family started this foundation in his honor and work with players/families to raise awareness and educate on the signs of mental health within sports.
If you go to the Little Britain arena, you can see NJ5 in the concrete bench area of the lobby, Nolan's number raised to the rafters inside their Pad in bright red. He was a proud member of the Jr. C Merchants. In an initiative to make the dressing room better for him and his players, Nolan and some of his friends/teammates redesigned and built their new dressing room over one summer break. It still stands there today. The craftmanship of the player cubbies, designs on the walls and bathroom area is absolutely incredible. The love of the game still lives on today.
Next time you are in the arena, check out the Jr. C office door and the wall next to it. It gives you more about his story including a picture of Nolan.