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EA Sports and Bauer honour Noah Dugas

'It is a great reminder of him, and who he was'

The outpouring support for the family of young hockey player Noah Dugas continues through a stick and a virtual hockey card. 

EA Sports announced this week that it has created a "Noah Dugas" virtual player that can be used on NHL 21 for XBox and PS 4.  

The company made 25 commemorative special player cards for family and friends.   

Glen Gravelle, Noah's uncle, says the idea started locally from family friend Jason Sullivan who had a contact at EA Sports. 

"Jason thought it would be great for them if they could create an Ultimate Hockey Player and Jason got me connected with the EA team that creates these players for the game and ended up getting him on NHL 21," said Gravelle.  

"It is quite an honour for us. They provided us with 25 cards or virtual players that we could share with our family and friends so it is kind of an exciting day today because all of us have been able to see him on the ice again playing." 

The 13-year-old North Bay native passed away from a stroke on Friday, November 13, 2020 and the story of the 13-year-old Trappers AAA defenceman captured the hearts of thousands in North Bay and beyond. 

Gravelle says the family has been touched by EA Sports virtual form of kindness.  

"It just seems surreal to see him out there wearing #71 and Dugas on the back playing the game that he loved," said Gravelle. 

See related: Hockey World rallying behind local hockey player

See related: 'He was just a really nice kid' 

See related; North Bay's hockey honour guard pays tribute to Noah 

But Noah does not only live on through a virtual player but now a stick as well.  

Bauer has stepped up as well to create a commemorative Noah Dugas stick. 

Gravelle says when the Noah Dugas' story first went viral in the fall, he got a call from the CEO of Bauer, who happens to be Mark Messier's sister, Mary-Kay Messier. 

"She reached out and said she wanted to do something for the family and especially for Noah's sister and they helped her out providing her with a bunch of new gear and after Noah had passed she reached back out to me again that they wanted to make a commemorative hockey stick for Noah which we just received about a week or two ago," said Gravelle. 

"It's Noah's curve, it has his name and number with #NoahStrong on it. In the Bauer logo itself it says #NoahStrong within it and it is quite a memorable piece, that is for sure."

Gravelle believes the stick is a very touching reminder, as the stick sitting outside North Bay homes was a symbolic form of support throughout Noah's health challenges in 2020.  

"It sure is, every day I walk into my living room where the stick is and I see the stick sitting there," Gravelle said candidly.  

"It is a great reminder of him, and who he was." 

Gravelle also wanted to send another thank you to the community for its support.  

"Just a big thank you from all of us for all the kind words, letters of support, and support in general. We can't thank them enough." 


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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