‘My equipment was gone:’ Pricey goalie gear stolen from parking lot

WATCH: A local student and recreational hockey player is hoping for a Christmas miracle after his goalie equipment was stolen from a parking lot last week.

A Saskatoon student and recreational hockey player is hoping for a Christmas miracle after his goalie equipment was taken from his truck last week.

Hudson Edwards’ mother was visiting him from their hometown of Nokomis at a Stonebridge hotel. He parked his truck in the lot and went in to visit for the night.

“I had the bag in the back of my truck. I came out in the morning to start my vehicle and noticed my equipment was gone” Edwards told CTV News.

Someone took a bag containing Edwards’ goalie equipment, which he says his parents bought for him to finish his minor hockey days.

“He always had used equipment growing up, and when he got into his last three years, we saved up,” said his mother Tina Edwards.

“We purchased him his first set of brand-new equipment, knowing it would need to last him basically his lifetime.”

The loss is more than sentimental, as the stolen gear included new goalie pads and a custom helmet he designed the decals for.

“Everything together, I’m thinking it’s worth around $5,000,” he explained.

Edwards is currently writing university final exams, which forced him to shift his focus following the theft.

“Part of me wanted to get mad, but the other part wanted to fix it, so that’s why we put it out on social media, hoping somebody has seen it. Maybe the person who took it dumped it not knowing what it was,” added his mother.

The social media post has received almost 300 shares so far.

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As a student, Edwards says replacing the equipment simply isn’t possible right now. Without it, his hockey season and potentially his time playing the sport is on hold - which worries his mother.

“As far as mental health goes, you know, trying to blow off some steam from his first year of university, I think that’s really important that he’s able to still play and make connections,” she said.

Edwards has filed a police report. He’s also been checking online sale sites in case it turns up.

In a statement to CTV News, the Saskatoon Police service said:

‘Unfortunately, thefts from vehicles are typically opportunistic. We recommend that in addition to making sure vehicles are locked and secure, people remove valuables, and nothing is left in plain view. If the stolen equipment is observed online, we encourage people to report it to police rather than attending to try to get it back.’

“I ref a lot of hockey. I’m in a lot of rinks. If the person who took it for that reason just wants to come drop it off or something, that’s all I care about. I just want my equipment back,” Edwards added.

This family says getting it back would be the best Christmas gift they could ask for.