In a first for the NZIHL, Noah and Mason Rees are set to play together in the league not as just father and son, but as teammates on the Canterbury Red Devils, in this weekend’s games against the Auckland Mako.

“A little bit nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time,” Noah described the experience of playing again after nearly 17 years, having had to stop his playing career with the Red Devils due to a knee injury.

For Mason, it’s a golden opportunity not many can boast of. “It’s cool to be able to have the opportunity to play with my dad, especially given his previous injury. Not a lot of people have this kind of opportunity to play with their parent,” said Mason, emphasizing the uniqueness of their situation.

Their journey to the ice rink began decades ago when Noah was only 12. Inspired by his friends’ interest in the sport, Noah tried his hand at ice hockey and was immediately hooked. Fast forward many years, and the same passion was instilled in Mason, who was just five when he first tried his hand at the sport. Though it wasn’t love at first sight for Mason, his father’s continued support became the catalyst that would keep him in the game.

According to Mason, hockey became his grounding sport, keeping him on track in life, and Noah emphasized that their shared time at the rink became some of many memorable father/son bonding moments.

Reflecting on their journey, both Noah and Mason fondly remember their trip to Canada for the Friendship Tour in 2012. For Noah, it was a chance to travel together in a hockey setting and witness professional NHL games. For Mason, it opened doors, leading to him playing outside of Christchurch and later for the U18 New Zealand team in Taiwan, where he was recognized as the player of the tournament.

The tale of Noah and Mason Rees has added a heartwarming chapter history of ice hockey in New Zealand. As the first father-son duo to play together in an NZIHL game, their story is an inspiration for families and sports enthusiasts alike, proving that when family and passion converge, extraordinary things can happen.