Warrior Hockey Academy
#HockeyChangesLives
May 28, 2026
National Sports Center | Blaine, MN
Questions about registration, sponsorship, or involvement, please contact Danny Hendrickson @ Danny@HendricksonFoundation.com
Presented by:
2026 Details
Resilience Reception Dinner
All 650 veterans participating in the hockey festival will have the opportunity to attend the Resilience Reception Dinner where guest speakers will shine a light on holistic well-being and mental health with our keynote address focused on resilience.
Resilience Keynote Session Guests
CoREY HIRSCH
Corey Hirsch is a former NHL goaltender, coach and an Olympic Games silver medalist and former colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks with SportsNet Radio. Following his professional hockey career and after dealing with his own mental health struggles, he embarked on a mission to open a conversation to end the stigma around mental health.
In 1994, just three years after being drafted by the New York Rangers, Corey both won a silver medal and drank from the Stanley Cup as a member of the Rangers’ championship team. What no one knew was that Corey tried to take his own life that same year.
Months later, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks and went on to play 100 more NHL games, before finishing his career in Europe. The entire time, Corey struggled with his mental health issues. When he could no longer play due to debilitating panic attacks and severe weight loss, he finally reached out to his team trainer. Corey was eventually diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and got the lifesaving treatment that he needed.
Corey would go on to coach goaltenders with the Maple Leafs and Blues, before joining Sportsnet Radio to do colour commentary for the Canucks.
In February 2017, Corey wrote a piece for The Players’ Tribune, sharing publicly his mental health diagnosis and suicide attempt. His story sparked important conversations within hockey and beyond, as more athletes began to open up about mental health.
Today, Corey is an advocate in the battle to end the stigma around mental health. He is an engaging speaker that educates, motivates, and inspires his audience. He gives hope to others struggling by showing vulnerability and letting people know they are not alone.
JeFF Taffe
Coming Soon
Jeremy Clark
Coming Soon
Academy Events
The Academy will include on- ice training and off-ice sessions conducted by NHL alumni and members of the military community.
Camaraderie
All 650 veterans participating in the hockey festival will have the opportunity to attend the keynote dinner and further their camaraderie with other Warriors.
National Heroes
Warrior Hockey Academy will welcome 34 veterans representing Warrior programs across our nation who will be participating in the Hendrickson Foudation Hockey Festival
Valor Salute
Valor Salute recognizes individuals who exemplify the values of work ethic, kindness, leadership, giving and hope in adversity, and who live and promote each of these values through their lives and within their relationships. During the Resilience Dinner Reception, three honorees will be awarded the Valor Salute keepsake and a generous monetary gift of $5,000.
2026 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Resilience Sponsor
Nutrition Sponsor
Chanhassen | Post 580
Spirit of Hockey Sponsors
Warrior Sponsors
Hero Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
