bostonglobe
Rob Thorsen was searching for a meaningful way to honor his son, Hayden, an aspiring hockey player who had been set to attend Dexter Southfield School before dying by suicide at 16 in May 2022. In the aftermath, the Thorsen family received an outpouring of support—letters, calls, emails, and photos—with many asking who would fill Hayden's role of checking in on others.
"He was a hand-on-shoulder guy," Thorsen recalled. "That's who he was in the locker room for his teammates, in the classroom, just in life." This sentiment gave rise to the Shoulder Check Showcase, now in its fourth year. On Thursday, nearly 30 NHL players will gather at Martire Family Arena on the campus of Sacred Heart University for the event, which aims to inspire youth to be there for their peers through initiatives that build social connectedness.
Thorsen noted the difficulty of asking for help: "I know they say the three hardest words to say in any language aren't 'I love you,' it's 'I need help.'" He believes the event creates space for vulnerability, adding, "You see guys in the league who are now proactively raising their hands and saying, 'Hold on a second, I'm carrying something. I need some help putting this down.'"
Key Analysis
The event has grown significantly since its inception. Initially held at Terry Conners Ice Rink in Stamford, Conn., which seats 2,067, it now moves to the larger Martire Family Arena (capacity 3,600), enabling an NHL Network broadcast. Brian Boyle, a Hingham native and Boston College alum with 14 NHL seasons, will be on the broadcast. Thorsen credited Gary Zegras—father of Flyers forward Trevor Zegras—and Ben Prentiss, who owns Prentiss Performance gym, for early support. Trevor Zegras and Chris Kreider (Boxford native and former BC star) were quick to volunteer and recruit others. While no current Bruins are playing, the team has included Shoulder Check in its Mental Health Awareness Night, with Sophia Jurksztowicz interviewing Thorsen on NESN's pregame show. Ducks forward Frank Vatrano (a UMass alum and former Bruin) will participate, along with Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight (also from Darien, Conn.) and eight BC products. All four Beanpot schools are represented. Thorsen emphasized the players' commitment: "Guys fly in from across the country on their own dime for it. It's incredible." This year's event also features family programming, including live music, outdoor activities, and player meet-and-greets. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, with puck drop at 6 p.m.
Originally reported by bostonglobe.