About HEROS

The HEROS mission is to use the game of ice hockey to teach life-skills and empower marginalized youth. We provide free hockey programming for at risk children and youth, offering a safe and stable environment for them to grow, connect and succeed.

All of our programs support a player’s life journey by focusing on the four HEROS behaviours: Listening, Respect, Discipline and Having Fun. These core values are implemented by our players in their everyday lives beyond the rink.

Since launching in 2000, HEROS has grow to 29 programs in 11 cities across Canada. We have provided over 15,000 youth with personal growth opportunities through sport training, educational development, and bursaries; guiding them to become constructive citizens and future community leaders.

HEROS strives to provide every participant with a “team for life”. We connect with our HEROS at the same time and place season after season, so even years after a HERO graduates they know where to find us when they need us. Once a HERO, Always a HERO.

Nothing represents a Canadian childhood more than playing hockey, but for many families the cost is unmanageable.

Awards

HEROS has had the honour to receive a number of awards and recognitions for its work in communities across Canada.

2021	Patron Peace Prize – HEROS board member Harnarayan Singh
2021	NHL Willie O’Ree Award – Executive Director Kevin Hodgson
2019	Received the Brigadier Generals Excellence Medallion
2016	Prasanthan Aruchanan becomes the 3rd straight HEROS participant named as winner of the Thurgood Marshall / NHL Scholarship
2015	HEROS participant Wyatt Christiansen is named recipient of the NHL/Thurgood Marshall Scholarship
2014	HEROS participant Nick McCurdy named the first Canadian recipient for the NHL/Thurgood Marshall Scholarship
2013	Governor General of Canada David Johnston acknowledges his patronage to HEROS
2009	Recipients of the Belfast City Council Safety Award for work with at-risk youth
2007	Recipient of the Aspen Hope Award
2003	Miracle Maker Award presented by CIBC – one of four recipients nationwide
2002	Program of the Year awarded by the Vancouver School Board