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Meghan Gibas always wanted to be a part of a team.

Like many 14-year-old children, Meghan, who has autism, enjoys skating but hasn’t always had the opportunity to do that with others. At school, she said she doesn’t interact much with other students or have many chances to make new friends.

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That all changed on Saturday when she was one of 24 children who took part in a volunteer-driven hockey program that helps children with autism and Down syndrome.

Meghan said being a part of a team means she doesn’t have to feel lonely anymore.

“This is kind of emotional because I hardly get to be a part of groups or anything like that,” she said. “People exclude me a lot because I’m different or something. This is a really good opportunity for me to make friends (with) people who understand me and I can understand them. I can actually probably make friends for once.”

The program, led by the Hockey Education Reaching Out Society and Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton, provides children with gear and a regular season of 25 games throughout the year. The hockey equipment was donated by Oilers player Connor McDavid through his endorsement deal with CCM and his affiliation with Jumpstart.