To other Teams’ fans who says that Edmonton attracts scumbag players. Another example of the caring, thoughtful players in that dressing room.
Heavyweights have Stecher's back
PATRICK JOHNSTON
[email protected] @risingaction
The Province
Aug 11, 2024
TV hockey analyst Bieksa, Lululemon get behind hockey camp with a social conscience
The first year of Troy Stecher's pre-season pro camp was as successful as the Richmond NHLer hoped it would be.
The second edition, beginning later this month, he and co-organizer Derek Popke hope, will be even a bigger success.
The first sign it was going to be a bigger deal was the addition of two big backers: former Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa and the Canadian Men's Health Foundation.
Bieksa, now a popular Sportsnet analyst and a “national champion” for the Canadian Men's Health Foundation, posted to social media on Thursday about his support for Stecher's camp.
This year's camp, scheduled for Aug. 26-29 at Richmond's Minoru Arenas, is once again raising funds on behalf of Stecher's TS51 Foundation.
“Helping run a pro skate where NHL players can get ready for their season, along with raising money for two great causes. Feel free to come watch or donate to the charities,” Bieksa posted on X.
Bieksa and Stecher are old friends, Popke explains, going back nearly a decade to when Popke first started organizing pre-season skates for local pros. Bieksa's son Cole would participate in Popke's Vancouver Hockey School summer camps and dad Kevin would thus be around to skate with former Canucks teammates such as Alex Edler and younger locals like Stecher.
After the success of last year's event, Bieksa approached Stecher and Popke to find out how he could support their work. In year one, Stecher's TS51 Foundation directed all proceeds to Diabetes Canada. This year, the beneficiary is the CMHF, at Bieksa's suggestion.
Diabetes Canada is a partner of the CMHF. Raising funds for diabetes research is a cause close to Stecher's heart, as his father Peter died four years ago due to complications from diabetes.
“The Canadian Men's Health Foundation deals with men's health in general, mental health, chronic illness. It's inclusive of causes like diabetes,” Popke said.
The CMHF's Kenton Boston said they were delighted to jump aboard and back Stecher's cause.
“We consider ourselves the leading spot in the country when it comes to men's health. And the message, it's not just about men, it's men and the impact on their families. Our role is to educate men and to advocate on behalf of men and their families,” he said.
He added that he and his colleagues recognize the importance of engaging with everyone — men, wives, daughters, son, friends, parents — about men's health issues because no one exists in isolation.
The big thing is to encourage questions.
“It's OK to have questions, to ask about things you may not be comfortable talking with your friends about,” he added.
And the CMHF has many partners, from government to other health foundations and beyond. The CMHF sits at an important axis, he believes.
"(Other agencies) come to us because we do have connections,” he said. “Through people like Kevin, they can reach out and start a dialogue. Approachable, that's who we are as an organization.”
All four days of last year's event were well-attended, especially by kids, something that pleased Stecher to no end.
“It's even better than I had hoped,” he said at the conclusion of last year's event, a smile beaming across his face as he signed autographs for kids and caught up with some familiar faces from the city where he grew up.
That ability to get close with the community was a big driving point for Stecher and Popke's planning.
“It's a community event, for kids to come and meet players and watch how they train,” Popke said.
The event's success also drew the interest of another new sponsor: Lululemon.
“They saw the positive community impact we had last year with youth hockey players watching the camp and wanted to support it,” Popke said.
Popke once again is donating his time. Last year, Yard Athletics personnel donated their time to lead the camp's off-ice training.
The players loved the experience. “Throughout the summer, there are groups of NHL players who do smallgroup skill training around the city, and this provides an opportunity to gather more players who are around into a competitive camp-style atmosphere,” Popke said.
A full roster hasn't been confirmed yet. Popke and Stecher are actively rounding out the roster.
Just hours after Bieksa's post on Thursday, Popke said he was already dealing with a surge of inquiries from players in the Vancouver area who were looking to participate. Last year's roster numbered about 20.
Committed returning local players already include goalie Laurent Brossoit, defenceman Kyle Burroughs and forwards Brendan Gallagher and Sam Reinhart.