Members of the Saint John Sea Dogs toured the NTI manufacturing facility at Ariston Canada and celebrated the start of a dynamic partnership with NTI in a recent visit. 

Employees and executives from NTI greeted 22 players from the Sea Dogs, a junior ice hockey team that competes in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. 

Plant Manager Fahad Khad and Industrial Engineering Manager Steve McAleer guided the team through the production facility, detailing the process behind manufacturing high-quality boilers. Safety Manager Umar Saeed led a safety orientation prior to the tour. 

“The beginning of our partnership with the Sea Dogs reflects NTI’s commitment to greater involvement in the local community,’’ said Ariston’s Head of North America Heating, Grzegorz Wojcik. “We believe this partnership benefits both sides. On one hand, it supports the development of young talent and on the other, it enhances NTI’s brand visibility and reputation.”

Members of the Sea Dogs tried their deft hockey hands at some of the production tasks performed by the NTI employees, who also demonstrated boiler operation and shared insights about NTI’s technical training programs.

NTI gifted the team co-branded shirts and hats, and the Sea Dogs presented four signed jerseys to company executives to celebrate the partnership, which is captured through the slogan “Heat Up the Ice” to symbolize the union of NTI’s heating innovation with the Sea Dogs’ passion for hockey. A barbecue lunch, which allowed employees and players to develop deeper connections with photo opportunities and conversation, closed out the visit.

“The motto of our company’s founder is ‘there is no value in economic success unless there’s a commitment to local social progress,’’’ Wojcik said. “We are confident this is only the beginning of the collaboration between the Sea Dogs and NTI, and we are excited to support the team and community.”

The Sea Dogs compete in the East Conference of the 18-team Quebec Maritimes League and play home games at TD Station in Saint John. The Sea Dogs have been part of the league since 2005 and have produced 32 NHL draft picks. The team’s regular season runs through March 2026.