Pembroke-Hockey: Coach Richardson's Family needs help!

Where is Brandon Currently?

Pembroke Ontario-Melton street

Whats his goal?

I have personally seen more than enough evidence to fully support everything Brandon has brought forward to the CCHL and Hockey Canada — and it’s truly sickening. Parents reached out to him because they had never seen their kids fall into such deep depression. Some feared what might happen if the abuse didn’t stop.

Despite these serious concerns, the league never responded — not to the parents, not to Brandon, and not even when he provided evidence after evidence documenting what these young athletes were facing.

**The league never took action, and Brandon has yet to get a call back from Hockey Canada regarding his claims.

HOCKEY-TOWN CANADA,

let's show the hockey world we take pride in our name HOCKEY-TOWN, but more importantly, holding the group's put in place to protect the players accountable for enabling/not acting on players.

When one of your teammates gets cross-checked in the face, you don’t skate away…

You drop the gloves and protect your guy.

Right now, Brandon Richardson is that teammate — and he needs us in his corner.

WHY WE’RE ASKING FOR HELP

Brandon Richardson and his family are facing an impossible situation after an unfair, abrupt dismissal by Lumberkings Owner Alex Armstrong — a decision with life-altering consequences.

Brandon, his partner Rachael, and their pets

Daisy & Hope

Storm

BunBun

drove across the continent in a Black KIA Soul with no room for cream so Brandon could give everything he had to the Pembroke Lumber Kings — a program and a community he deeply loves.

He believed in the players.

He believed in the town.

He believed in doing things the right way.

And he poured every ounce of himself into coaching.

What actually happened

After only 86 days, Brandon was told verbally he was released.

He received:

❌ No termination letter

❌ No explanation

❌ No chance to defend himself

❌ No salary he was owed

❌ No housing reimbursement

❌ No relocation support

❌ No travel or food allowance

Every contractual promise was broken.

To survive, Brandon had no choice but to incur debt just to keep his family fed and sheltered.

THE TRAP

Brandon is in Canada on an LMIA work visa.

This legally binds him to ONE employer — the very team that fired him.

This means:

He cannot legally work anywhere else

He has zero income

He cannot leave his employment situation without legal help

He is trapped in a system designed to protect employers, not workers

WHY THIS IS BIGGER THAN HIS JOB

Brandon didn’t lose his job because of performance.

He lost it because he asked to be paid what he was legally owed.

He also refused to ignore the mistreatment and anguish players suffered under the current ownership. He stood up — because it was the right thing to do.

Brandon’s words to me were clear:

“Whether I get my job back or not… I’ve found a bigger purpose.

I’m staying here to fight for these players, their parents, and the future of this sport.”

This is no longer just about him.

This is about fixing a broken hockey environment and protecting future kids from going through the same.

ADDITIONAL BURDENS THEY’VE FACED

Before he was even allowed to cross the border, Brandon was stuck in Alexandria Bay for two weeks, paying out of pocket for hotels.

When he finally entered Canada, the housing the team promised wasn’t available — forcing him into a month of hotel bills in Pembroke.

Brandon worked every day of those months — unpaid — while supporting players, running practices, managing games, and fighting for his team.

He did everything right.

And yet, everything went wrong.

HOW YOUR SUPPORT WILL HELP

Your generosity will help Brandon and his family stay afloat while he fights for justice, for his players, and for the sport he loves.

Funds Will Cover:

Past-due rent (2 months)

Current rent to keep the family sheltered

Groceries & basic necessities

Transportation & utilities

Legal and immigration consultations

Emergency loan repayment — the only way the family could survive 45 days in hotels

• 30 days in Pembroke

• 15 days in Alexandria Bay at the border

️ Stability while Brandon continues fighting for his players and the game’s integrity

WHY SUPPORT MATTERS

Brandon showed up for his players.

He showed up for this community.

He sacrificed everything to do what was right.

Now he and his family need others to show up for them.

Your donation — big or small — will help them survive this devastating time and continue the fight.

THANK YOU

From the bottom of my heart,

Thank you for standing with Brandon, Rachael, and their family.

Your support means more than you know.

Donna

P.S. If you cannot donate but want to help in another way, please reach out to me directly. Every kind gesture matters.