St. Tim’s High School students had a blast on the ice last week, battling it out against teachers and former NHL stars in front of a packed crowd of cheering classmates and friends.
But behind the lively hockey game stood a more sobering purpose – to shine a light on the serious issue of sexual abuse in sport. And a champion of the cause couldn’t be prouder that a group of kids from Cochrane is brave enough to face off against the persistent and damaging problem.
“Today, I’m showing up to play, (but) it’s their initiative. To me, I think it’s important,” said former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy. “I’m really happy to support the effort … I think we have to celebrate and reward the kids.”
The right-winger for the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins, has been the face of child sexual abuse in Canada and around the world for the last 20 years after speaking out against his former coach Graham James. James has been in and out of prison since he was convicted of abusing Kennedy and others during his long career as a mentor to young hockey talents.
Now, Kennedy works tirelessly to protect kids and raise money for Calgary’s Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, a safe place of hope and healing for children and families impacted by abuse.
That continuing mission brought the NHL player to Cochrane at Christmas for the third year in a row, strapping on his skates for St. Tim’s annual students versus teachers hockey game. This season’s event raised $1,500 for the centre – and was organized primarily by students.
“He’s definitely done the most for child abuse in Canada,” said teenager Ethan Badry, who helped put together the charity hockey game. “I think it’s pretty important to help him out.”
In addition to Kennedy, the teacher’s team also included recently retired NHL left wing Curtis Glencross, award-winning country singer George Canyon and his son Kale, and a handful of school board officials and police officers. Not surprisingly, the students were bested by the pros, with the educators (and their ringers) winning 6-4 over the senior team and 8-6 over the juniors.
“They win every year,” Badry said with a laugh.
St. Tim’s hosted the hockey game on a school day for the first time this year, giving the entire student body the opportunity to come and watch – and as a result, the stands were stuffed with cheering students and families.
Athletic Director Kevin McLellan said he was wowed by the support of the school and the dedication of the kids to such an important cause.
“I was super impressed with the response and the turn-out,” said McLellan. “(Sexual abuse in sport) is kind of an adult issue that kids are willing to confront. Something like this gives them chance to do it in a different light … it’s a way for them to become active in spreading that word and getting that voice out.
“With Sheldon, the centre is huge and it’s world-renowned. For us to be a part of it is awesome.”
Kennedy began his journey toward acceptance and awareness with a roller blading tour across Canada in 1988. Then, the issue was a conversation stopper – but now, he says, it’s becoming more of a conversation starter.
“Kids get hurt because of our ignorance and indifference,” he said, adding combatting abuse is as much about the aftermath as it is about the crime itself. “Those incidents don’t matter – it’s what your left with.”
Badry agreed, saying abuse is “just like cancer” and needs to be kept in the forefront of people’s minds in order to help stop it from occurring.
“I think that’s really the main reason it happens – because we push it away and don’t talk about it,” said the teen.
McLellan said St. Tim’s students will continue to raise money for the centre throughout the rest of the school year, with raffle tickets being sold at next month’s Cochrane Classic basketball tournament as well as at ball hockey games near the end of the spring term.
He hopes, with continued diligence, St. Tim’s students can do their part to combat the plague of abuse.
“It’s kind of a way for them to become more involved, to have their chance to raise awareness and money to a great cause,” said McLellan.
“An issue like this – as terrible as it is – could be slowed down or stopped.”
