Hockey and health: former NHLers visit Lac La Ronge communities

Former NHL players Bryan Trottier and Rich Pilon visited Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities Feb. 5–8 to promote healthy living and mental health, bringing a Stanley Cup replica and sharing personal stories.

Former NHL players Bryan Trottier and Rich Pilon spent four days in Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities from Feb. 5–8. They brought a Stanley Cup replica and spoke to students and community members about healthy living and mental health. The pair visited Stanley Mission, Grandmother's Bay, Sucker River, La Ronge schools and nearby reserves. The visit included school talks, a community breakfast and a meet-and-greet. Key details: - Dates and locations: Feb. 5–8 visits to Stanley Mission, Grandmother's Bay, Sucker River, La Ronge (Bell's Point Elementary School and Senator Myles Venne School), Hall Lake and Little Red River reserves. - Both Trottier and Pilon are Métis from Saskatchewan and shared personal stories while allowing students to handle a Stanley Cup replica and see Trottier's Stanley Cup rings. - Bryan Trottier described growing up in Val Marie, his Indigenous roots and outdoor life, and is noted as a 28-year NHL veteran, a multiple Stanley Cup winner and a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. - Rich Pilon spoke about his NHL career, an eye injury and later struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, including entering the NHL Substance Abuse program and reaching out for help when suicidal. - The visit introduced Brandi Bell and the Embracing Life App as a free support resource, and included a community breakfast and meet-and-greet at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre. - Roots of Hope La Ronge provided local emergency and support contact information that was shared during the visit, including Talk Suicide Canada (988), Kids Help Phone texting (CONNECT to 686868) and other regional crisis lines. Summary: The visit highlighted connections between sport, culture and wellbeing and encouraged conversations about healthy living and mental health in Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities. Trottier and Pilon combined personal stories, community events and references to support resources such as the Embracing Life App and local crisis lines. Undetermined at this time.