The Geertsen Opportunity Foundation is committed to making hockey an accessible and inclusive sport for youth across Canada and the United States. We believe every young person, regardless of their financial situation, should have the opportunity to experience the joy, discipline, and teamwork that hockey fosters. By offering free and low cost hockey camps led by professional players, providing equipment, and delivering support in nutrition and mental skills training, we aim to remove the barriers to entry and ensure that financial hardship doesn’t prevent talent from flourishing.
Our goal is to create pathways for young athletes to develop their skills, pursue their passion, and reach their full potential in the game they love.
The Geertsen Opportunity Foundation was founded in 2025 by the Geertsen family—Mason, Clarity, Kathy, Katerina, Larry, and Larissa—with the mission to provide youth in underserved communities access to the life-changing power of hockey.
Hockey has always been at the heart of the Geertsen family. Larry played the game at a high level, Katerina played NCAA Division I hockey, and Mason is in his 10th season playing professional hockey after being drafted in 2013 by the Colorado Avalanche. Growing up, hockey wasn’t just a sport; it was a shared passion that brought the family together and taught them valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and community. Whether it was early morning practices or late-night games, the Geertsen family lived and breathed hockey, and that love for the game has shaped each member’s journey.
Mason Geertsen is currently in his 10th season playing professional hockey for the Vegas Golden Knights Organization. His journey in hockey has been shaped by not only his passion for the sport but also by the support of his family and community.However, in 2023, when Mason was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the Geertsen family faced a pivotal moment that changed their perspective on life. In the wake of this life-changing diagnosis, the Geertsen family realized that life is too short to wait to make a difference.
They had always dreamed of giving back to the community that had supported them, and now they knew it was time to turn that dream into action. The Geertsen Opportunity Foundation was born from a desire to share the game they love with kids who may not have the resources to access it. The foundation’s mission is to break down the financial barriers that prevent young athletes from pursuing their passion for hockey. Through free or subsidized hockey camps led by professional players, the provision of equipment, and education on nutrition and mental skills, the foundation gives kids the tools and support they need to develop their skills, build confidence, and grow both on and off the ice.
At its core, the Geertsen Opportunity Foundation is about giving all kids the chance to experience the camaraderie, discipline, and joy that hockey brings. The foundation reflects the values that hockey has instilled in the Geertsen family—teamwork, resilience, and the power of community—and aims to pass these lessons on to the next generation of players, regardless of their financial background.
Through their work, the Geertsen family hopes to inspire young athletes, helping them realize their potential and ensuring that no child is held back by circumstances beyond their control. The Geertsen Opportunity Foundation stands as a tribute to the family’s deep love for the sport, their commitment to community, and their belief that every young player deserves the opportunity to chase their dreams.
The Geertsen Opportunity Foundation is committed to making hockey an accessible and inclusive sport for youth across Canada and the United States. We believe every young person, regardless of their financial situation, should have the opportunity to experience the joy, discipline, and teamwork that hockey fosters.
