Some of the biggest names in professional hockey are coming to Stanford later this month.
The second annual Shoulder Check Showcase will be held in memory of Darien hockey player Hayden Thorsen, who died by suicide in 2022.
“One in three people are affected,” says Hayden's father, Rob. “When he passed away, a lot of people asked, 'Who's going to do what Hayden did now that he's gone?' This idea answers that question.”
The July 25 event will feature a celebrity game featuring stars from the NHL and PWHL.
“We had people from as far away as Stanford to Seattle join us,” Thorsen said. “There's this idea that, 'You're not alone,' and what we're trying to do is complete that statement with, 'Because I'm with you.'”
The event will also celebrate youth hockey, with dozens of boys and girls teams competing at Terry Connors Rink.
“The more people who get involved in reaching out, the more likely we are to create a space where people can say, hey, I need help, too, when they need help,” Thorsen says, “and every time we have an opportunity to get the message out there, it inspires a couple of people to think, maybe they could do this in their own community.”
Organizers will hand out kits filled with jersey patches, bracelets and tips for people to support each other.
