By Liz Leamy
Last Thursday, more than two thousand people, including some of hockey’s most decorated NHL players along with scores of people from Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien and Stamford all came together in honor of Hayden Thorsen of Darien, who had passed in 2022 at the age of 16 for the Second Annual Shoulder Showcase event to generate awareness and support for the #HT40 Foundation at the Terry Conners Rink in Stamford.
This memorable and moving sold-out event was a huge success as everyone there valiantly joined forces to help generate awareness of the importance of showing kindness and compassion toward one another in support of Thorsen and the HT40 Foundation that was founded by his parents, Rob Thorsen and Sarah Thompson, leaders of this amazing effort, as a means to help inspire a culture of support through small actions having a big impact.
“It’s awesome to be here and see so many people who are involved with the cause having such a nice time. It all means a lot,” said Rob Thorsen. “We want to make the best experience for everyone who is here. The message connects with everyone.”
This incredible event, centered around scrimmages and skills events featuring a slew of famous professional hockey players in addition to an auction and raffle through the support of the dozens of #HT40 Foundation partners, was all about goodness and energy in regard to carrying on the legacy and impact of Thorsen, a nationally ranked player who played goalie for Darien High School and was also a member of the Mid Fairfield Junior Rangers, among other hockey contingents.
Dave Maloney, the legendary New York Ranger who lives in Greenwich with his family and was the Emcee/Master of Ceremonies of this event, expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to be part of this experience in honor of Thorsen.
“It was an awesome event in every way and to see everyone come together in honor of Hayden was everything,” said Maloney. “The initiative is so important and everything about the night was incredible. Even the weather, which originally was said to be gregarious, turned out to be great. It was a beautiful sunset and that said so much.”
Thorsen, described as a natural leader with an inviting, encouraging and inclusive presence full of effervescence, goodness and love who would always bring people together through kindness and compassion, certainly seemed to have that effect upon everyone attending and involved with this event, that is for sure.
All throughout the afternoon and evening, virtually everyone at the event could be seen having a great time connecting with one another.
“I’m here for Hayden and to help support the cause, with the goal being to spread the good as much as possible,” said Pat MacDougall, Thorsen’s cousin who lives and works in Boston. “You can see how his legacy lives on and how much he has affected and continues to affect and touch so many people. It’s a special moment for my family.”
The event kicked off with an exciting skills showdown featuring some of social media’s biggest hockey influencers along with such famous NHL stars as Jonathan Quick, the New York Rangers goalie, Matt Rempe, the New York Rangers right winger, Chris Krieder, the New York Rangers alternate captain and winger, Kevin Shattenkirk, who most recently played defense for the Boston Bruins and Pavel Dorofeyev, the Vegas Golden Knights winger, as well as other renowned players who were all there in honor of Thorsen.
Other professionals involved with this event included numerous members of the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the American Hockey League, with the #HT40 Foundation event also having the support of a host of local area hockey players, teams and organizations throughout Fairfield County.
After the skills event, there was an unforgettable scrimmage game featuring all the professionals that generated tremendous applause from the high-energy crowd.
The most memorable highlight of the night however, was when all of the players, in tandem with everyone else at the event, stopped for a moment to put a hand on one other’s shoulder for a ‘shoulder check’ with their those standing or sitting next to them to honor Thorsen, who always did this with those with whom he encountered.
“Hayden made everyone feel important and seen and that’s the whole point of why we are all here. It’s all about passing that on,” said Adele Pellicane of Long Beach, Long Island, New York, an original member of the #HT40 organization and core volunteer who was at this event with her husband, Tom and son, a good friend of Hayden. “This event is awesome and it has really grown and that says everything. To know Hayden is what this experience is all about. Everyone is connected and that person-to-person touch is just so important.”
Others agreed.
“This has been a great event,” said Ken Smith, Manager of the Terry Conners Rink. “Everyone here has come together in honor of Hayden for such an important cause. All of the players, volunteers, influencers, attendees and everyone else are here to honor the call which is everything.”
For more information on the #HT40 Foundation (with 40 being Hayden’s jersey number), please contact the organization at: www.ht40.org
