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“On the ice, you want to be tough. Off the ice, it’s OK to reach out and not necessarily be tough. It’s very important to look for help if you need it and to be there to support your teammates.” That’s what 17-year-old defenseman Jake Pellicane told me about a remarkable program he’s helping lead, called Shoulder Check. As Minnesotans enjoy state hockey tournaments, this is something to consider. It’s a hopeful, helpful idea that’s come out of tragedy – a Connecticut high school student and hockey player who unexpectedly took his own life in 2022.

The idea is simple: Players put their hands on the shoulders of another player, look into their eyes and tell them things like, “I’m here for you. I care about you.”

  
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