Shoulder Check Showcase is more about hockey – it’s about caring for each other

Jonny Lazarus
Jonny Lazarus
Photo from New York Rangers/X
Credit: Photo from New York Rangers/X

Reach out. Check in. Make contact.

On Thursday, July 25th, the Terry Connors Rink in Stamford, Connecticut, held its second annual Shoulder Check Showcase. Established in 2023 by Rob Thorsen and his wife Sarah, who lost their son Hayden in the year 2022, the event aims to raise money to combat mental illness and even has the support of the NHL community.

“The young man [Hayden] it’s in honor of had a massive impact on everyone in this community and on the hockey community,” Rangers forward Chris Kreider told the media.

The event represents ways the hockey community can unite and lean on one another during difficult times. Before puck drop, former New York Rangers captain Dave Maloney, MSG broadcast, asked everyone in the rink to place their left on the shoulder of the person next to them, unifying hundreds of people while symbolizing that everyone could use a hand on their shoulder.

Maloney emphasized the saying “kindness is a contact sport” in his speech. And on Thursday, contact was encouraged – but not the kind you’re used to seeing on television. Instead, it was all about “checking” in on friends and making them smile.

As someone who has battled with mental health struggles as a hockey player, it can never be talked about enough. I haven’t expressed this part of my life publically much, but during my junior year of college at Mercyhurst University, I was seeing a therapist. My teammates and coaches at the time weren’t aware of it; some might still not know, but I was in a place where I felt alone. On New Year’s Eve that year, I had a complete mental breakdown. I had left our team party early to call my parents as I walked back to my apartment with tears bursting down my face, telling them that I couldn’t spend another day at school and that I needed to quit hockey and come home.

The message that the HT40 foundation is spreading through this showcase couldn’t be more relatable to what I and many others have experienced. They aim to unite people through the simple act of kindness, ensuring no one is left apart.

“It’s a simple thing, but not always an easy thing to check in and make sure people in your life around are doing well,” Kreider said. “I think everyone is feeling something. Everyone is going through their own battles, it’s simple, but not easy and it’s incredibly important.”

Not only were some of the NHL’s brightest stars showcased in this game, with players like Trevor Zegras, Charlie McAvoy, and Frank Vatrano leading the way. But it went deeper than that, with some PWHL representatives such as Abby Roque and some social media personalities like Coach Chippy and Swaggy P. ESPN host Arda Ocal was also there emceeing the event and did a phenomenal job at getting the crowd engaged into what was happening on the ice.

“I think it’s important for the NHL players to be seen with us just for girls to know ‘that’s the type of my level, and that’s of their level [for the guys],” Roque said. “Starting at that young age, for even young boys to know how important the girls’ game is, not just the men’s game and I think it sets a really good standard.”

Seeing people of all ages in Stamford come out and support this cause in an entertaining night of hockey was beautiful.

“It’s okay to not be okay,” said Zegras, who had multiple Anaheim Ducks teammates fly in for the event. “You never know who’s going through what at what time. It’s always good to put a hand on somebody’s shoulder and see how they’re doing.”

The Thorsen family has done a remarkable job of spreading the word about Hayden’s story and what this event represents. It was an honor to be a part of this beautiful evening and I’m sure year three will have an even better turnout than year two.

These professional hockey players might all be tough on the exterior. But, on the inside, they’re normal human beings, just like all of us.

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