VANCOUVER - Christmas has come early for young hockey players around Williams Lake, B.C., thanks to thousands of dollars in equipment donated by Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price.

The NHL superstar teamed up with his gear supplier, CCM, to deliver boxes full of equipment to several non-profits and the Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association, where he got his start.

Eight-year-old Amdeus Isnardy, shown in this family handout photo, tries out goalie gear donated by Habs netminder Carey Price to his old junior hockey association. Boxes upon boxes of hockey equipment have arrived in Williams Lake, B.C., thanks to Montreal Canadiens' goalkeeper Carey Price and his passion to give young players a chance to shoot for the NHL. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Some children from three aboriginal communities will be outfitted head-to-toe in hockey gear, as will kids from groups including Big Brothers and Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club and JumpStart.

Eight-year-old Amdeus Isnardy says he's already tried on a pair of goalie pads, gloves and a chest protector -- one of the many new sets going to 18 house teams at the Williams Lake association.

All he wants now is to say thanks to Price -- and one day play in the NHL himself.

Price's father, Jerry Price, says the Habs netminder is just giving kids a chance to make their dreams come true -- but that can't happen with old gear or no gear at all for families who can't afford it.