“Reach Out. Check In. Make Contact.” NHL’s Shoulder Check Showcase Sees Rangers Shine in Hayden Thorsen’s Honor

The New York Rangers showed their unwavering support for mental health awareness and the legacy of Hayden Thorsen by participating in the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase—a stirring midsummer event that underscores the power of connection in both sport and community.

An initiative born of personal grief, Shoulder Check was created in memory of Hayden Thorsen, a 16-year-old Darien High School goalie whose simple, compassionate gesture—placing a hand on someone’s shoulder while asking “How’s it going?”—embodied kindness and human connection. Tragically lost to suicide in 2022, Hayden’s spirit now lives on through an annual hockey gathering that has blossomed into a beacon for mental health advocacy.

At the 2025 event, held at Stamford’s Terry Conners Rink, the pledge—“Reach out. Check in. Make contact.”—resonated powerfully. Led by emcee Dave Maloney, the rink fell silent as players and fans united in ritual, placing left hands on the right shoulders of those nearby. This simple yet profound act speaks volumes in an age where isolation is increasingly common, and the imperative to connect has never been stronger.

For the Rangers, taking part in Shoulder Check was never just about sport. Adam Fox, Matt Rempe, Chris Kreider, and other Ranger alumni stood shoulder-to-shoulder in scrimmages and skills showcases—before raising poignantly meaningful hands in solidarity. Their presence sent a powerful message: no one is immune to mental health struggles, and help starts with just asking, “Are you okay?”

Veteran defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who has remained a stalwart supporter of the event, emphasized the importance of peer support. It’s an arena where leadership on the ice meets empathy off it. The moment transcended hockey—it became human. “It can happen to any one of us,” Shattenkirk said, framing mental health not just as a personal battle but a shared responsibility.

The Showcase is more than a charity game. It’s a movement—a space where elite athletes, youth players, and communities collide in purpose beyond competition. Fans lined up early for autographs and skills displays, while organizers transformed the venue into a festival of connection. In a packed rink, the message rang clear: being vulnerable, asking questions, and showing up for each other isn’t weakness—it’s strength.

For Hayden’s family, the event carries both healing and hope. His father, Rob Thorsen, spoke of Shoulder Check as a mission—transforming heartbreak into human connection. “We all have a hand to give,” he said, “and this shows you’re not alone because I’m right here with you.” That sentiment echoed throughout the packed stands, the locker rooms, and the hearts of those gathered.

Every pledge taken was a promise—a commitment to empathy and community. In a sport where toughness is championed, this event redefined strength as openness. It captured Hayden’s legacy not through rivalry or records, but through compassion that looks for the person beside us; a reminder that checking in, especially with those around us, can change lives.

In the end, the Shoulder Check Showcase isn’t just a hockey game—it’s a celebration of human connection. And with the Rangers proudly in attendance, the message was clear: in sport, as in life, no one should face their battles alone.