The fourth annual Shoulder Check Awareness game will light up Sacred Heart University’s Martire Family Arena on July 30, bringing together fans, players and community members for a night that blends high‑octane hockey with a powerful message about mental‑health.
A Summer Tradition Grows
Since its inception, the charity match has evolved from a modest local showcase into one of Connecticut’s most anticipated summer hockey events, drawing NHL talent from 13 teams across North America and Europe.
Tickets, priced at $100 apiece, go on sale through Ticketmaster, with all proceeds earmarked for the Shoulder Check Awareness initiative, which supports suicide prevention and mental‑health programs for young athletes.
The evening will be broadcast live on the NHL Network, allowing viewers nationwide to witness the action and the accompanying Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit that celebrates the sport’s history.
Pregame Festivities
Doors open at 6 p.m., giving attendees a chance to explore a beer garden, midway attractions and a curated Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit before puck drops at 6:30 p.m.
Organizers have assembled a roster of NHL stars — including Trevor Zegras, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, Brett Pesce, Spencer Knight, Matt Rempe, Shayne Gostisbehere, Shane Pinto, Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, Mason McTavish, Cutter Gauthier, J.T. Miller, Pavel Dorofeyev, Matty Beniers, Denver Barkey, Frank Vatrano and John Hayden — to join the cause and honor the memory of Darien’s Hayden Thorsen, who died by suicide at age 16.
The game’s growing profile underscores how a single event can unite the hockey community around a vital conversation about mental‑health, while also raising funds for a cause that resonates far beyond the rink.