Shoulder Check Showcase for Mental Health Awareness: Mark your calendar for July 25th at 6 PM at Terry Conners Rink in Stamford
The second annual Shoulder Check Showcase for Mental Health Awareness is set to bring together more than 20 NHL and PWHL players at Terry Conners Rink in Stamford, CT, on July 25th. The event, organized by Shoulder Check, Prentiss Hockey Performance, and 200 x 85, will feature a mix of amateur All-Stars and NHL stars displaying their skills to what is expected to be a sold-out crowd.
The initiative is inspired by Hayden Thorsen, a talented ice hockey player from Darien, who died by suicide a couple of years ago. Known for his kindness and support to his teammates, Hayden's legacy lives on through Shoulder Check, which was founded in 2023 in his honor. The organization aims to encourage young people to support their peers through action-oriented initiatives that foster social connectedness. Rob Thorsen and Sarah Thompson, co-founders of The #HT40 Foundation and Shoulder Check, who are also Hayden’s parents, will be present at the event.
Since its inception, nearly 80 current and former professional players have joined the movement, with NHL and PWHL clubs from Boston to Washington DC partnering with Shoulder Check for arena-based game day activations. These events engage tens of thousands of fans in promoting mental health awareness. At each game, players come together at center ice before the puck drops, placing a hand on the shoulder of the player next to them and taking the Shoulder Check pledge: “I promise to… Reach Out…Check In…Make Contact.”
Shoulder Check, a 501c3 organization, has grown significantly since its launch in August 2023. The initiative's centerpiece, Shoulder Check games, have seen participation from dozens of NHL players, creating a culture of support and connectedness in the hockey community. With the simple yet powerful promise to Reach Out…Check In…Make Contact, Shoulder Check is making kindness a core value in the sport. For more information, visit Shoulder Check.