Six words, one motion: How hockey's Shoulder Check Showcase is enshrining kindness into ritual

Before a puck was dropped at the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase, the crowd at Terry Conners Rink was already in synch—by gesture and six words that have become a spreading movement in the hockey universe: "Reach out.

Check in. Make contact." This year's Showcase was more than just another midsummer charity game, just another one. It was a reunion, a healing ground, and, to many—both players and fans—a vow kept.

Jake Oettinger, Trevor Zegras, Chris Kreider and other NHL stars unite for something greater than the game

It started, as always, with a soft but intense moment. Emcee Dave Maloney asked the sold-out arena in Stamford, Connecticut, to put their left hand on their right shoulder. "Don't be shy," he instructed, and the whole rink stood up and recited those words aloud—a tribute to Hayden Thorsen, the 16-year-old from Darien whose heartbreaking death in May 2022 has brought about a nationwide change in how the hockey community approaches mental health.

Then the lights went out. John Brancy, a voice known to New York Rangers enthusiasts in Madison Square Garden, starts a rousing performance—not of the national anthem but of "Lean on Me," newly accepted as the official anthem of the Showcase. Cell phone lights flash like candles around the rink, lighting not only faces but also purpose.

From NHL trades to personal vows, players are making the message come before the spotlight.

Chris Kreider, now with Anaheim, and Trevor Zegras, just traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, haven't missed a single issue since the start.

So, has the emotional significance behind why they continue to return. "I think everyone has experienced some struggle with their own mental health," Chris Kreider said. "I know someone who has, so unfortunately that's a fact of life. I think it's a simple concept but an incredibly powerful concept: just checking in and making sure people in your life are OK and being able to have those conversations in communication.

"For Jake Oettinger, this year was the first time for him. The Dallas Stars goalie had promised the Thorsen family in 2024. Last year, he couldn't attend. This year, there was nothing that could keep him away. Jake Oettinger took Dallas to the Western Conference Final and was pulled halfway through Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers after two swift, disputed goals were tallied on him. His coach publicly criticized him.

For Oettinger, that experience was more than merely a defeat—it was a call to reach out. Washington Capitals defenseman Ryan Leonard was a new addition to the group this year, as were longtime fans Kevin Shattenkirk—now retired and employed by the NHL Players' Association—and Sam Colangelo, who came back with Ducks teammates Frank Vatrano and Mason McTavish. Each tale was different, but the message was the same: Make contact. Be there. Have your voice heard.Also read: Olympic hockey in 2026 promises ‘best-on-best’ as NHL stars return to represent their nationsThe Shoulder Check Display is no longer just remembering Hayden Thorsen. It's about keeping his spirit alive through empathy, conversation, and community.