Considering it is the NHL offseason, most players find ways to train and get in some skates, although not overly competitive ones, to stay sharp for the upcoming season. This week, Calgary Flames forward Matt Coronato will be in Connecticut to skate in the Shoulder Check Showcase, which will be available on the NHL Network.
Launched a few years ago by Rob Thorsen, the Shoulder Check Showcase is an annual fundraiser for the HT40 Foundation, whose main goal is to “bring people together through kindness and compassion. To inspire a culture of support through small actions that have a big impact.” In 2022, Rob’s son, Hayden, took his own life, which led his family to launch HT40 to honor their son and to raise awareness for mental health.
As anyone can see by this year’s lineup of big-name NHLers, this event has drawn considerable attention from the players, who want to help raise awareness not only for the HT40 Foundation but also for mental health. Since the event is taking place at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, many past and present New York Rangers will be in attendance, including Chris Kreider, Pavel Dorofeyev, J.T. Miller, Matt Rempe, Gabe Perreault, Frank Vatrano, Adam Fox, Tony DeAngelo, and Drew Fortescue.
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Although rosters from the 2023 and 2024 events are not available, Coronato may be the first Flames player to partake in the event. As one of the young core players through the rebuild that will close out the Scotiabank Saddledome next spring, it is not surprising to see Coronato continue a Calgary tradition of going above and beyond in the community.
Through the Flames Foundation and the Flames Alumni, the organization has deep connections to the City of Calgary through various fundraising opportunities, including the annual Celebrity Charity Golf Classic, Hockey Alberta Foundation Golf Classic, and the Alumni Hockey School, to name a few. Meanwhile, several Calgary players, like Mikael Backlund, are heavily involved in community programs, with the captain recently being named a Paul Harris Fellow for his ongoing contribution to the community.
Those interested in watching the Shoulder Check Showcase can find it on the NHL Network, while others who wish to donate to the HT40 Foundation can do so at www.shouldercheck.org.
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