The Calgary Hitmen game in support of ConnecTeen is just two weeks away and we are excited to celebrate the 7th year of this amazing partnership.
The Hitmen are Calgary’s junior ice hockey team, part of the Western Hockey League. Players range from 16-20 years old, making their partnership with ConnecTeen particularly fitting.
“The stress and challenges that are presented in society for all, but especially our youth, are very real,” Mike Moore, General Manager/Vice President of Business Operations for the Calgary Hitmen said.
“ConnecTeen provides a voice and resource that provides guidance, counselling and a voice for our city. Our players are aged 16 to 20 and also face these challenges. It is important for them to be mentors but also to know the importance of getting help.”
Teens face many challenges as they enter adulthood and deal with a variety of issues that we hear in ConnecTeen phone calls, texts and chats.
Self-harm, anxiety and stress, parents, relationships, friendships and school are just some of the issues our volunteers help callers with.
Young athletes face added pressure, as they juggle a busy sports schedule along with school, friends and everything else being a teen entails.
ConnecTeen provides a voice and resource that provides guidance, counselling and a voice for our city. Our players are aged 16 to 20 and also face these challenges. It is important for them to be mentors but also to know the importance of getting help.”
-Mike Moore, Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen game in support of ConnecTeen allows us to reach a huge audience of teens and parents and let them know that there is support available. They don’t have to deal with these issues alone.
“Reaching even one person makes a difference,” Mike said. “The opportunity to present this message in front of a number of Hitmen fans and even our players is something we are proud of.”
EllisDon has sponsored the ConnecTeen Hitmen game since its inception – in that time they have donated $65,000 to support our ConnecTeen program. Vince Davoli, Senior Vice President of EllisDon’s Calgary office, said that EllisDon also recognizes the importance of services like ConnecTeen are to Calgary’s youth.
“Take care of the kid and the adult will take care of his or herself,” Vince said last year. “Our organization [and] every organization needs healthy individuals. Helping teens helps everyone.”
Tickets for the game are sold at a discounted rate of $12 per ticket, when purchased at ConnecTeen.ca, with the code “TEEN.” $2 from every ticket sold is donated back to ConnecTeen. 50/50 proceeds are also donated to ConnecTeen.
Mike said that giving back to the community is an important initiative of the Calgary Hitmen throughout the season.
“Providing exposure, partnerships and resources to various groups including ConnecTeen strengthens our community,” he said.
We are grateful to also have the support of Pattison Outdoor, ADT Security Systems, Gilmour Photography, The Camera Store, Nikon Canada and Youth Central.
The game takes place on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 1pm, at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
