Trevor Zegras, Chris Kreider, and Kevin Shattenkirk will headline the second annual The HT40 Foundation "Shoulder Check Showcase" event, featuring 25 NHL, AHL, and PWHL stars

Content Warning: This article mentions suicide and other mental health struggles that may be upsetting to read about

On July 25 at 6 pm EST, The HT40 Foundation will host its second annual "Shoulder Check Showcase" initiative, an event headlined by local NHL players like Trevor Zegras, Chris Kreider, and Kevin Shattenkirk and featuring 25 more NHL, AHL, and PWHL stars at the Terry Connors Rink in Samford, CT.

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The Shoulder Check is a movement created following the tragic passing of 16-year-old Mid-Fairfield and Derien High School youth goaltender Hayden Thorsen, who took his life in May of 2022. 

Inspired by the character of their son, Thorsen's parents, Rob and Sarah, created the HT Foundation intending to "encourage young men and women to simply be there for their peers, reinforcing social connections and leaving no one out, through our own initiatives and by supporting like-minded organizations working to make a similar impact."

By all accounts, Thorsen was the kind of friend and teammate who would consistently reach out and check in to ask how they were doing with a text or a hand on the shoulder. With the HT40 Foundation and the annual Shoulder Check Showcase, his legacy and spirit will continue.

"You don't realize that anxiety and stress are things you don't have to go about alone," Zegras told NHL Network in an interview leading up to the event. "It's always good to check in with (friends) and make sure that you're staying connected."

Shoulder Check has drawn attention from sponsors including the NHL, ESPNW, and Madison Square Garden among others committed to inspiring young men and women to support one another with small kindnesses that could have big impacts.

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"(The Thorsen's) mission is to reach out, check-in, and make contact," former Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk told NHL Network. "We're trying to let everyone know that if you are feeling down or you have some of these thoughts, we're trying to create a community where you know you have someone you can talk to."

Current fellow Anaheim Ducks players joining Zegras in attendance will be Mason McTavish, Ryan Strome, and Frank Vatrano. 

Also in attendance will be current NHL players Shayne Gostisbehere, Brett Pesce, Cole Caufield, Kevin Hayes, Joel Farabee, Shane Pinto, Pavel Dorofeyev, Sonny Milano, Spencer Knight, Charlie McAvoy, Matt Rempe, Jonathan Quick along with Kreider and Shattenkirk.

PWHL players Abby Roque, Ella Shelton, Jessie Eldridge, and Micah Zandee-Hart will be participating with appearances from various personalities as well. 

The HT Foundation is "built on kindness, encouragement and empathy, aiming to help everyone feel more connected to one another" and the attention the Shoulder Check Showcase is drawing will help spread that impactful message.

For more information, visit shouldercheck.org and ht40.org