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 grown to offer programs in 9 cities across Canada. We have provided 18,000 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