This past April four HEROS players, two from Calgary and two from Vancouver, received the tremendous opportunity to represent HEROS both on and off the ice at the NHL Willie O’Ree All Star Weekend in Boston. The HEROS players received the invitation for outstanding service in their community and their dedication to school and the HEROS Program.
The selected HEROS put themselves ahead of others and helped on and off the ice when needed.
At the NHL Willie O’Ree All Star Weekend, they shared the ice with over 50 other youth from 15 organizations across North America and participated in activities and games twice a day for two days. The players also attended a Boston Bruins hockey game, where they met NHL players, professionals and Mr. O’Ree.
It was a trip full of firsts.
For the players from Vancouver, it was the first time they travelled by plane, and for one player it was their first time out of their home city and staying in a hotel. All four HEROS represented our organization admirably by demonstrating the core HERO Behaviours and made all fellow HEROS from across Canada proud.
“To be on a plane for the first time with a HERO, watch them integrate with others and teach others our HEROS behaviours and to make new friends in a matter of 72 hours is gratifying,” said Norm Flynn, HEROS president and founder.
During the trip, the group shared their aspirations with other participants and spoke about setting and attaining goals, in addition to commitment, dedication, success and failure.
“Our ultimate goal is to provide opportunities to broaden the minds of our HEROS and show them that there’s a whole other world beyond the confines of their community,” Norm said. “What we ask of our HEROS players is to treat others with respect and compassion, make eye contact, to ask questions.”
Aside from the hockey aspect of the weekend, Norm and HEROS Executive Director Kevin Hodgson spent time with the HEROS players off the ice, with an emphasis on the importance of education. HEROS volunteers often take players who are graduating or thinking about their future on tours of post-secondary institutions to show them that post-secondary is a reality for them. These experiences are always meaningful, and one of the highlights of the weekend was attending a tour of Harvard University. Norm and Kevin used this opportunity to speak to the four All Stars, who will be entering high school in the fall, about what they wanted to pursue after they graduate.
“Visiting an ivy league school with the reputation of Harvard was extremely special,” Norm said. “The selected HEROS all heard of Harvard but thought it was a fictional place. For them to smell, see, touch and experience this, made Harvard real and possible.”
According to Norm, “As we toured Harvard, one of the HEROS said ‘I can see myself here. This is not as intimidating as I thought.’”
“Another said ‘I’m going to work harder at school because people look super smart, and I want to go to university and make my mom proud.’”
The players also toured Boston College and played at the college’s arena.
For these four HEROS representatives, the Willie O’Ree weekend trip symbolized the possibilities for their futures, especially outside of the rink. These four HEROS were able to experience lifelong memories and friendships due to such a unique opportunity.
“There’s nothing better than an experience like that,” Norm said.
