In Photos: NHL stars Matt Rempe, Trevor Zegras and others come together for Shoulder Check charity hockey game

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Jul 26, 2024 19:56 GMT

The Shoulder Check Showcase returned to Terry Conners Rink on Thursday. NHL players like Matt Rempe and Trevor Zegras took part in this charity event. The showcase supports the HT40 Foundation, honoring Hayden Thorsen’s memory.

Hayden, a 16-year-old goalie, committed suicide on May 21, 2022. His parents, Rob and Sarah Thorsen started Shoulder Check to spread kindness and prevent isolation. This year’s event saw more fans and media attention, including spots on "Good Morning America" and CBS New York. There was also branding in Times Square for World Emoji Day and a Nasdaq MarketSite opening bell ceremony.

Dave Maloney, the master of ceremonies, emphasized mental health. He led the crowd in Hayden’s wellness message:

"Reach out. Check in. Make contact."

John Brancy performed "The Star-Spangled Banner," and Chris Kreider joined Matt Rempe and Jonathan Quick in the game. Kreider stressed the importance of support in hockey.

"You see the state of our world, of what kids have to go through now," Kreider said (via NHL.com). "I think that hockey community is incredibly close. You see guys at their best and see guys at their worst. You lean on guys. That's something that can extend beyond what happens on the ice. That's a sign of strength."

New York Rangers' Matt Rempe focused on getting better

New York Rangers star Matt Rempe has made a name in just 17 games. At 6-foot-7, his physical play and fighting style are hard to miss.

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 draft, Rempe uses his size and toughness in games. He fought Matt Martin in his NHL debut during the 2024 NHL Stadium Series. Rempe wants to improve more than just his fighting skills. He aims to work on skating, defense and puck handling to play a bigger role.

I’m going to work every single day on every part of my game because I want to bring more to the table next season," Rempe said (h/t The Hockey News). “I want to play 8-12 minutes every night, I want to be able to play center or wing and get better defensively, but I have to earn all of these things. ... I’ve got a lot of work to do, but as a sixth-rounder, I’ve always exceeded expectations so I’m ready to get after it.”

In the offseason, Rempe trained with former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque to refine his fighting skills. He also plans to work with teammate Chris Kreider to enhance his overall game.