Talent comes together for a purpose in Fairfield, CT, at the end of July, but the end goal is never about the final score. 

Shoulder Check is returning this summer with an impressive lineup of NHL, AHL, and other professional players. This event brings together some of hockey's biggest names for a night that is raising awareness for mental wellness and one simple act that we all can do that can make a difference: checking in

The mission behind Shoulder Check is deeply personal for co-founder Rob Thorsen, who founded the initiative after the loss of his son, Hayden, in 2022. "Shoulder check comes from a bit of a place of tragedy. I lost my son Hayden in 2022. When he passed, a lot of people sort of asked, "Who will do what Hades did now, that Hades is gone", and it didn't take us long to understand what they meant by that. What they meant was, who's gonna be the guy who checks in on people? 
That's who Hayden was. Hades made a big impact on people. Everywhere he went. He was a hockey player. So that's our connection to hockey here. He trained at the Prentiss Performance, which is here in Stamford, which is where so many of our guys who participate and train. 
He played for a youth association called Mid Fairfield, which is in Stamford, and that's where guys like Trevor Zegras and Spencer Knight came from, and Trevor's father, Gary, is a partner in this with me. On my side, we were thinking, what are we gonna do? How can we contribute to this conversation? 
We had this idea for the Shoulder Check, which was about putting hands on people's shoulders. At that same time, Ben Prentiss, at the gym, and Gary kind of both came to me, and Ben was like, we should do a game and Gary's like Well, we're all in. 
It just kind of came together organically. It was like, let's use this opportunity, let's create the Shoulder Check showcase, and use that as, like, the launching pad for this idea, which is just about putting a hand on people's shoulders. We say, Reach out, check in, make contact."

This mission has resonated with players at all levels throughout the hockey world. Shoulder Check started as a community initiative and has grown into one of the most meaningful offseason events. Players volunteer their time to support a cause that goes beyond hockey. The showcase creates an atmosphere that athletes, fans, and families come together to celebrate the game, but to sit on the mission at hand: the importance of kindness, empathy, and checking in. "I think because it's such a simple idea—literally, it's just about putting a hand on someone's shoulder—everybody's qualified to do it. We're all qualified to be kind, to be empathetic, and to be aware of one another."

2026 Shoulder Check Showcase has another star-studded roster of NHL and other professional players. This has attracted young stars and veterans throughout the game. This year, some confirmed players are Trevor Zegras, Chris Kreider, Brett Pesce, Adam Fox, Spencer Knight, Matt Rempe, Shayne Gostisbehere, Shane Pinto, Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier.  "Hockey players are supposed to be the toughest guys in the world, and they are on so many levels, but you can see when somebody has a bad arm or a bad leg. You can't see when somebody might be struggling with more than that."

Players who participate and lend their hands and voices to Shoulder Check, they are helping to normalize the conversations that surround mental wellness. They also encourage their teammates, fans, and other young athletes to reach out to anyone who may need support. "They are role models. They are helping do what this is meant to do. Create space for vulnerability, break down stigmas, and make the world a place where, when someone needs help, they can feel comfortable raising their hand."

The showcase has become that message. Before the puck drops, players gather in a circle on the ice and place a hand on the shoulder of the person beside them. "Reach out, check in, and make contact". It is the event's reminder that everyone has a role to play. "The whole event is meant to be a demonstration of the premise. The biggest moment is seeing those men and women standing together. Hopefully it translates into someone checking in on someone in their own lives."

The growth of this event hasn't been fueled by marketing or campaigns but by word of mouth and people embracing the mission. "The majority of places where this idea has gone have been because someone reached out and asked how they could do it. High school and college students are calling and saying, 'I want to bring it to my team. I want to bring it to my school.' Our job is simply to support them."

As the Showcase is rapidly approaching on July 30th, fans can expect skill, goals, and memories made for a lifetime. "If I had one sentence, it's this: You don't always know who needs a hand, but we all have a hand to give. Just be a good teammate. Be a good classmate. Be a good friend."  HT40 Foundation and Shoulder Check hope that is the lasting message that every fan takes home long after the final buzzer.

If fans are interested in coming out on Thursday, July 30th, to Sacred Heart University at the Martire Family Arena in Fairfield, CT, here is the link to buy tickets!

To learn more about Shoulder Check and the mission behind it visit: