Sheldon Kennedy

Playing in the NHL is supposed to be a fabulous time for professional hockey players. This time in Kennedy’s life was tough. He was experiencing guilt and shame for what happened in Swift Current, and as a result, experienced drug and alcohol addiction. Kennedy is pleased that he has been sober for the past 15 and a half years. Kennedy counts training 1.4 million Canadians through Respect Group as one of his business achievements. “To me, that is what it is all about,” he said. “How do we make good people better by empowering the bystander? That is what I am the most proud of, and it is no small feat. We have trained all parents, coaches and officials. We work with all the provinces, including Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta. We are now doing a lot of work with all sports. In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, it is mandatory that every coach in every sport take the Respect Group program.” As the Respect Group has become a profitable venture, the organization has been able to give back to the sports community. It recently donated $100,000 to Canadian Tire to help build an accessible playground in Calgary’s Shouldice Park through the JumpStart initiative. The playground is specifically for youth with physical disability. “We continually give back,” said Kennedy. “That is something I am proud of. It is so important to do that inside your community.” The programs available through Respect Group are now being applied to the education system and the government and are frequently taken by teachers and school bus drivers, and now government employees. These are horrific times with the coronavirus pandemic. Kennedy is aware of the negative impacts the disease has had on the amateur sports community in Canada. Players are not just losing an opportunity to play, but there are negative consequences when it comes to mental health as well. The sports industry and all other industries are being impacted. “There is an added amount of stress that comes with COVID,” he said. “There are presenting fears. My partner is a doctor and this creates a lot of anxiety. It is critical we create psychologically safe workplaces and not just physically safe workplaces.” Currently, police services on a global level are being criticized and scrutinized. However, it was the Calgary Police Service in the mid 1990s, who were credited for listening to Kennedy and the sexual abuse he endured from James. Detective Brian Bell was “patient and respectful,” according to Kennedy, and orchestrated a thorough Canadian-wide investigation of James’s past. Kennedy is grateful that the Calgary Police Service took him seriously. “It was important,” he said. “Most people who have been impacted by sexual abuse feel that they are the only ones that this is happening to. They believe nobody is going to believe them and this is their fault. Back then I think it was critical I felt listened to.”

In the last year, Kennedy had what he calls “an awesome experience.” He won the 2019 Battle of the Blades with ice dancer Kaitlyn Weaver, a three-time medalist for Canada at the World Figure Skating championship.

Sheldon Kennedy, alongside Kaitlyn Weaver, from “Battle of the Blades”

Ken Dryden, Sheldon Kennedy and Dr. Charles Tator: Distinguished Honourees of the Order of Hockey in Canada for 2020

“It was a very difficult process,” he said. “It was one of the harder things I have ever had to do athletically. It was a very important journey because it kind of closed the loop of the shame and guilt I had for not being my best when it came to hockey (career was impacted by drugs and alcohol as a result of depression from the abuse by James). Battle of the Blades allowed me to prepare, be fit, get focused, and raise money for charity. That was the best part about it. We donated $100,000 to JumpStart.” Kennedy is pleased to be part of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame class this year. “I think for me I felt a sense of pride and I felt proud for the issues I represent, to be acknowledged with this significant induction,” he said. Kennedy is honoured to be recognized for the important work that athletes do apart from competition. In addition to being inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Kennedy was named to the Order of Hockey in Canada, alongside former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden and Dr. Charles Tator, who has done significant work on concussion and spinal cord injuries related to hockey. “That was a huge honour,” said Kennedy. “It means a lot. This recognition within hockey tells the world that these issues (about sexual abuse) are important, and that we care about them. I think it says that (those in charge of) hockey understand that this is a big part of growing the game.” For those who have experienced abuse in the past, Kennedy encourages them to “seek help.” He states there are more options for people today than there were in 1996. He also explains he talks less today about his own personal abuse from James, and more about the issues and finding ways to solve problems. In the future, Kennedy is trying to help people through Respect Group and to be the best possible father and partner. He currently has two children. There is no doubt that high performance hockey players can have a significant impact in society. Kennedy’s influence has been exceptional, and as a result, many in the hockey community, sports communities, and in the public community, have clearly benefited. Calgary Hockey Magazine | 13

Willie

O’Ree

Two of the greats, Willie O’Ree and Muhammad Ali

Sports Hall of Famer continues to break racial barriers

By Jeremy Freeborn

Willie O’Ree may not have been a household hockey name Hockey League (Quebec Aces from 1956-59), two seasons when he played in the National Hockey League with the in the American Hockey League (Springfield Indians in

Boston Bruins in 1958, and again from 1960-61, but his 1957-58 and the New Haven Nighthawks in 1972-73), impact has still been great. When he became the first black three seasons in the Eastern Professional Hockey League player to play in the NHL on Jan. 18, 1958, at the Montreal (Kingston Frontenacs in 1959-60, and Hull-Ottawa

Forum in a 3-0 Bruins win over the Canadiens, the story got Canadiens from 1960-1962), 13 seasons in the Western zero media attention from the Boston Globe. Little did he Hockey League (Los Angeles Blades from 1961-67 and San or anybody else know that O’Ree would eventually become Diego Gulls from 1967-74), and one season in the Pacific the NHL’s diversity ambassador. Hockey League (San Diego Sharks from 1978-79). He also

In May 2020, O’Ree was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall played one season with the independent team, the San of Fame in Calgary for his remarkable achievements off Diego Sharks in 1977-78. the ice. This induction is just one more way his incredible Since he began serving as the NHL’s diversity ambassador reach has been recognized. O’Ree was inducted into the in 1998, O’Ree has traveled throughout North America

New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in his birthplace to run hockey programs for minority youth who may of Fredericton in 1984 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in not have the opportunity to otherwise play hockey, and

Toronto in 2018. He also received the Lester Patrick Trophy to encourage the qualities of inclusion, dedication and in 2003 (outstanding contribution to hockey in the United confidence.

States), Order of New Brunswick in 2005, and the Order of Canada in 2008. Willie O’Ree Place can also be found in After receiving the induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of

O’Ree’s hometown of Fredericton. Fame, O’Ree graciously spoke to Hockey Calgary Magazine.

In 2018, the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award was to represent hockey in Canada’s premier museum for all created by the NHL. The award is presented annually to sports. “I was overwhelmed,” said O’Ree, in an exclusive the person “who has worked to make a positive impact on interview from his home in southern California. “It is so his or her community, culture or society to make people much appreciated. Everything that has been going on in better through hockey.” The first recipient of the award the last couple of years has just been awesome for me. I’ve was Humboldt Broncos’ coach Darcy Haugan of Peace had so many great things happen and I feel very blessed at

River, Alberta, who died on April 6, 2018, in the Broncos’ this time.” bus crash near Armley, Saskatchewan. That crash claimed 16 lives. O’Ree is pleased with how the ‘Hockey is for Everyone’

O’Ree’s time in the NHL lasted only 45 games, where he initially known as the NHL Diversity Program. It was scored four goals and 10 assists for 14 points. He also had rebranded in 2017. Over the last 22 years, the programs one multi-point game (Dec. 22, 1960, with two assists in have taught 120,000 children how to play hockey. a 4-2 Bruins win over the Chicago Black Hawks) and two Also as a player, he spent three seasons in the Quebec At 84 years old, he says he is honoured to be inducted and program has been going. In 1998, the program was career game winning goals for the Bruins (Jan. 1, 1961, in “My job was to travel around to these different programs a 3-2 win over the Canadiens and Jan. 19, 1961, in a 4-2 win and do on-ice and off-ice clinics,” said O’Ree. “I tried over the Detroit Red Wings). to introduce more boys and girls to the game. It’s been

14 | Calgary Hockey Magazine keeping me quite busy over the years.”