ANDOVER, Minnesota — “That’s better than solely a recreation,” talked about Andover seniors Ella Borger and Madison Brown as they put collectively to affiliate with Sophie’s Squad to host a psychological nicely being consciousness recreation.
Sophie Wieland took her private life within the summertime of 2021 on the age of 14. The non-profit group “Sophie’s Squad” was based mostly by Sophie’s mom and father later that yr with a mission to “improve the psychological nicely being of athletes by bettering their psychological nicely being from youth to varsity.” I had Take away the stigma associated to recognizing psychological nicely being factors and on the lookout for help. ”
The group began web internet hosting “Hockey Hit Once more” nights, primarily on the highschool and college stage, to unfold the message that there is on a regular basis hope and there could also be on a regular basis help.
Andover will be throughout the massive recreation in direction of Proctor/Hermantown on Saturday, January 7, nevertheless the first aim of this recreation is to not win on the ice, nevertheless to spice up consciousness and stigmatize psychological nicely being. In regards to the dialogue asking for help.
The teal shade is utilized in lots of sides of the game, from tape sticks to ribbons throughout the participant’s hair.
The group’s message is a little more troublesome for some members of the Andover group. Ella Borger carried out alongside goaltender Courtney Stagman and junior Nora Sauer throughout the Surtell/Sauk Rapids area, the place Sophie Wieland lived and carried out.
Andover seniors Ella Borger and Madison Brown. Every avid gamers have devoted to play on the School of St. Thomas subsequent season.
Contributed image.
“I’m from Surtel and I met her throughout the rink and met her family. I carried out alongside along with her sister a lot of cases and my brother carried out alongside along with her brother,” Borger talked about. .
“Doing this for Sophie means masses to me and a few completely different women on the group.”
Junior forward Nora Sauer’s father performs a ceremonial puck drop on the recreation.
Minnesota Duluth forward Gabby Hughes, 17, and St. Thomas forward Mayja Almich, 5, perform the Sophie Squad ceremonial pack drop at Amsoil Enviornment in Duluth on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.
Clint Austin/Duluth Data Tribune
Sophie’s Squad has been involved in numerous initiatives given that group’s inception, most these days
Minnesota Duluth forward Gabby Hughes has done a lot to bring awareness to the group
.
Boger and teammate Madison Brown assume it’s cool to see older avid gamers spreading consciousness of the movement, and hope to remain a part of it after they enter college subsequent yr. Every skaters in the mean time are devoted to having fun with in Division I subsequent season on the School of St. Thomas.
Brown and Borger have battled a lot of accidents this season and have wanted to find strategies to stay mentally strong after they can not get on the ice.
Brown broke his collarbone earlier throughout the season and solely just lately obtained clearance to skate as soon as extra. “I’m merely attempting to stay optimistic because of I merely want to help the group as lots as potential,” she talked about.
Boger these days battled a sprained ankle and wanted to find a technique to maintain optimistic off the ice.
“It might be exhausting to see your teammates and best associates doing what you are eager on, and usually you take it as a right, nevertheless in the end, it’s additional about having fun with. I will be grateful,” she talked about.
January 7, 2023 hockey hits once more recreation flyer.
Contributed image.
Proctor/Hermantown are considered one of many prime Class A teams. They could journey to deal with Class AA’s prime group, Andover, in his Hockey Hitsback recreation on Saturday, January 7 at 2:00 p.m.
All proceeds from the event will go to Sophie’s squad, and anyone who entails the game is impressed to placed on teal to help the set off.
To check additional about Sophie’s Squad, their mission, and the way one can help the set off, go to their site.
.