'''Hockey Talks''' is an initiative within the National Hockey League (NHL) raising awareness of mental health issues. It was started by the Vancouver Canucks, after the death of Rick Rypien, a forward for the Canucks. The first year of Hockey Talks was held in 2013 and included seven Canadian NHL teams participating in the initiative.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Hockey Talks: Mental Health Awareness|url=https://foundrybc.ca/stories/what-is-hockey-talks/|access-date=2021-12-23|website=Foundry|language=en}}</ref><ref name="VAN">{{Cite web|title=Hockey Talks|url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/community/hockey-talks|access-date=2021-12-23|website=Vancouver Canucks|language=en-US}}</ref> Currently 18 NHL clubs participate,{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} hosting one home game in February to dedicating to sharing resources, and breaking the stigma around mental health.
==Overview== The program was created following the death of Rick Rypien, a forward for the Vancouver Canucks who died by suicide in August 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Addison |first=Bob |url=http://www.news1130.com/sports/article/264538--former-canuck-rick-rypien-found-dead |title=Former Canuck Rick Rypien found dead |publisher=News1130 |date=August 15, 2011|access-date=March 19, 2025|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908050802/http://www.news1130.com/sports/article/264538--former-canuck-rick-rypien-found-dead |archive-date=September 8, 2011 }}</ref> Rypien's death marked the third instance of an NHL player dying in 2011 due to issues related to mental health and substance abuse.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Branch |first1=John |title=Derek Boogaard: A Brain 'Going Bad' (Published 2011) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-brain-going-bad.html |access-date=19 March 2025 |work=New York Times |date=5 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220054918/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-brain-going-bad.html |archive-date=20 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=James |title=Another sad end: Rick Rypien found dead at age 27 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/another-sad-end-rick-rypien-found-dead-at-age-27 |website=NBC Sports |access-date=19 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112138/https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/another-sad-end-rick-rypien-found-dead-at-age-27 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |date=15 August 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Glenn |title=Wade Belak’s final hours |url=https://macleans.ca/society/wade-belaks-final-hours/ |website=Maclean's |access-date=21 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112138/https://macleans.ca/society/wade-belaks-final-hours/ |archive-date=25 April 2024 |date=31 August 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, the NHL introduced the Hockey Talks initiative, aimed at promoting awareness and fostering discussions on mental health while reducing the stigma associated with the topic. The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Vancouver Canucks, who dedicated a home game to support mental health advocacy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hockey Talks |url=https://community.canucks.com/hockey-talks/ |website=Vancouver Canucks |access-date=19 March 2025 }}</ref> Since its creation, multiple other teams have participated yearly by dedicating a game to the initiative.<ref name="auto"/>
==Participating teams== The following teams have participated in the Hockey Talks campaign, typically with a dedicated home game. These games typically feature on-ice ceremonies, moments of silence, mental health resource tables, and sometimes custom warm-up jerseys or helmets with ''Hockey Talks'' decals. {{Expand list|date=March 2025}} * Calgary Flames<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foundation |first1=Flames |title=FLAMES HOST ANNUAL "HOCKEY TALKS" GAME IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH |url=https://calgaryflamesfoundation.com/flames-host-annual-hockey-talks-game-in-support-of-mental-health/ |website=Calgary Flames Foundation |access-date=21 March 2025 |date=22 January 2024}}</ref> * Carolina Hurricanes<ref>{{cite web |title=Canes To Host Hockey Talks Game: Carolina Hurricanes |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-to-host-hockey-talks-game |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en |date=26 January 2024}}</ref> * Minnesota Wild<ref>{{cite web |title=Mental Health Awareness: Hockey Talks |url=https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/events-calendar/mental-health-awareness-hockey-talks/ |website=Visit Saint Paul |access-date=21 March 2025}}</ref> * Ottawa Senators<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Amico |first1=Sydney |title=Hockey Talks Night Presented by Bell Let's Talk a Great Success: Ottawa Senators |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/hockey-talks-night-presented-by-bell-let-s-talk-a-great-success |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en |date=17 January 2025}}</ref> * Pittsburgh Penguins<ref>{{cite web |title=Break the Ice: Hockey Talks |url=https://www.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org/program/break-ice-hockey-talks/ |website=Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation |access-date=21 March 2025}}</ref> * Seattle Kraken<ref>{{cite web |title=Hockey Talks: Seattle Kraken |url=https://www.nhl.com/kraken/community/hockey-talks |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> * Tampa Bay Lightning<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pierce |first1=Benjamin |title=Hockey Talks about honoring family, spreading hope for Brandon Hagel: Tampa Bay Lightning |url=https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/hockey-talks-about-honoring-family-spreading-hope-for-brandon-hagel |website=www.nhl.com |language=en |date=28 January 2025}}</ref> * Vancouver Canucks<ref name="VAN" /> * Washington Capitals<ref>{{cite web |title=Capitals to Host Hockey Talks in Partnership with MedStar Health on Jan. 18: Washington Capitals |url=https://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/capitals-to-host-hockey-talks-in-partnership-with-medstar-health-on-jan-18 |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en |date=15 January 2025}}</ref> * Winnipeg Jets<ref>{{cite web |title=Winnipeg Jets Community |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/community/hockey-talks |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> *Toronto Maple Leafs<ref>{{cite web |title=Leafs Raise Awarness For Mental Health Through Hockey Talks Night |url=https://www.mlse.com/news/leafs-raise-awareness-for-mental-health-through-hockey-talks-night |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> *Edmonton Oilers<ref>{{cite web |title=Foundation Events |url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/eocf/events/ |website=www.nhl.com |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> *Ottawa Senators<ref>{{cite web |title=Hockey Talks 2026 |url=https://www.difd.com/events/hockey-talks-2026 |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> *Anaheim Ducks<ref>{{cite web |title=Trevor Zegras to Headline Star-Studded Mental Health Awareness Initiative |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/trevor-zegras-to-headline-star-studded-mental-health-awareness-initiative |access-date=21 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * Rick Rypien * Derek Boogaard * Wade Belak * You Can Play * Bell Let's Talk * Hockey Fights Cancer
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:National Hockey League