NHL Shoulder Check Showcase rallies players for mental‑health awareness

The 2026 Shoulder Check Showcase, an annual charity ice‑hockey event supporting the HT40 Foundation, was held on July 30 at Sacred Heart University’s Martire Family Arena in Connecticut. More than 20 NHL players attended, including six New York Rangers—Matt Rempe, Gabe Perreault, Pavel Dorofeyev, J.T. Miller, Adam Fox and Drew Fortescue—who said, “It’s a great cause.” Former Anaheim Duck Chris Kreider and Trevor Zegras also took part, praising the event’s growth.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce joined the showcase, announcing he is “100 percent healthy” after a season hampered by upper‑body and lower‑body injuries. His participation highlighted the team’s focus on health and the broader mental‑health message promoted by the HT40 Foundation, founded by Rob Thorsen after his son Hayden’s suicide in 2022.