As Doug Curtis huddled in the stands of Estevan’s decades-old hockey rink last winter, his breath hung frozen in the air. Night after night, he’d brave -30°C temperatures to watch his 7-year-old son’s U7 team practice—clapping through numb fingers, stomping frostbitten toes, and wondering how many layers a human could realistically wear.
Then came the Christmas miracle: a GOKOZY Heated Vest from his wife.
"I went from looking like a walking sleeping bag to actually enjoying the games," Doug says. "The vest’s heat zones worked so well, I started wearing it under my winter coat. Other parents kept asking if I’d secretly brought a campfire into the bleachers!"
But as his son’s team battled on the ice, Doug noticed a colder truth playing out on the benches: the volunteer coaches, stoically enduring the freeze.
These mentors spent hours teaching stickhandling basics in the drafty arena, their noses red under ski masks. During games, they’d pace the bench in snow boots, shouting encouragement through chattering teeth. "We’d pretend to do ‘cold weather drills’ to make the kids laugh," recalled Coach Sarah. "But honestly? Some nights I could barely feel my clipboard hand."
The Sideline Revelation
Between periods, coaches started gravitating toward Doug’s corner of the stands. Soon, they were asking about the vest:
- 8-hour battery life for doubleheaders
- Flexible movement for goal celebrations
- Durable design tested with real arena conditions
The Assist
One frigid Tuesday night, Doug sent an email:
"These coaches give up weekends and warm dinners to help our kids fall in love with hockey. Any chance GOKOZY could help thaw their dedication?"
Within 24 hours, four GOKOZY Heated Vests were racing toward Estevan.
The Results
When the coaches tried them at the next practice, veteran Coach Mark admitted: "Last season, I’d be mentally counting down minutes till the Zamboni driver ‘accidentally’ aimed the resurfacer at our bench. Now? I can focus on helping Ava fix her wrist shot instead of my frozen kneecaps."
The real victory came weeks later, when Coach Sarah noticed: "The kids started copying my ‘warmer’ coaching style—more patience, more creativity. Turns out when you’re not half-frozen, you teach better life lessons."
Why We Care
At GOKOZY, we fuel the unsung heroes who make winter magic happen:
- Hockey parents surviving 6 AM ice times
- Volunteer coaches shaping young athletes
- Community members braving the cold
Nominate Your Hero
Know someone who deserves to coach/cheer/volunteer in comfort? Email support@gokozywear.com. Next round of warmth—on us.
