Stanley Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist Theo Fleury is making a trip to Timmins to motivate young hockey players. Fleury is an advocate for mental health in the hockey rink, saying there are serious gaps in the system right now, which are hurting players. He says he fought to overcome his own mental health issues, and calls his journey of self-discovery “incredible”. Fleury says players need to know those answers can only come from within, not from outside influences.
Fleury says his life has been filled with adversity, and he wants players to know that they don’t have to lie down and take it when they face hardships. He says there are many ways to overcome tough times, and the speech “Don’t Quit Before the Miracle” talks about how he learned to do that through his life experiences.
Fleury also talks about how being a victim of sexual abuse led to drug addiction. He says trauma, addiction, and mental health are all one in the same. He says part of his speech talks about ending the stigma of mental health at the rink. The Junior-A league is doing their part to help players identify mental health issues, by putting a mental health coach with the team. You can read more about that initiative here.
The event is being put on by the Timmins Kiwanis Midget-A girls team, with proceeds going back to the community. Tickets are $70 each, or $600 for a table of 10, and the event will be at the Dante Club on January 15th. You can buy tickets at Dailey’s Independent Grocers or Evans Bragagnolo & Sullivan.