Philadelphia Flyers Launch Initiative Supporting Young Cancer Patients
On Thursday evening, the Philadelphia Flyers will make an impactful statement during warm-ups for their game against the St. Louis Blues by debuting an initiative aimed at supporting young cancer patients. This unique collaboration will feature players wearing SkateSkins—customizable skate accessories—designed in partnership with children battling cancer.
Collaboration with SkateSkins
The Flyers have teamed up with SkateSkins to bring awareness and support to the ongoing fight against cancer, an endeavor encapsulated in the broader Hockey Fights Cancer campaign. Blair Listino, chair of Flyers Charities, shared insight on how this project took shape:
“We aimed to connect players with young patients so they could co-create custom designs. Nine children joined nine Flyers players after practice last month to collaborate in this meaningful way. The players designed one side of the SkateSkins while the kids brought their own creativity to the other side.”
Player and Child Collaborations
Among those players, Trevor Zegras was keen to participate and was matched with Juliette, a courageous 19-year-old with grade-4 glioblastoma multiforme. With inspiration drawn from Juliette’s tattoos, they crafted a design that reflects her journey.
Both Sean Couturier and Travis Sanheim, known advocates for Hockey Fights Cancer, also participated. Couturier connected with Emily, a 14-year-old battling craniopharyngioma, sharing a moment where they conversed in French due to their proximity in Quebec.
“It was special to bond over interests and explain who I am beyond just being a hockey player,”
he shared. Sanheim, linked with 15-year-old George, allowed George to lead the design process, fitting for a young artist whose favorite player he happens to be. Sanheim noted,
“It was important for him to take the reins and enjoy the creative process.”
Noah Cates collaborated with Rachel, a bright 10-year-old who is recovering from acute myeloid leukemia. Their design mirrored personal connections with friends and family, highlighting the collective experience of facing cancer.
“It was remarkable to talk about our shared experiences and what we’ve been through,”
Cates remarked, expressing gratitude for the bond formed during their time together.
Impact on Players and Future Collaborations
The children involved left a lasting impression on the players. Jamie Drysdale, partnered with Chase, a 10-year-old fighting rhabdomyosarcoma, reflected on the joy and energy brought by the kids.
“It was such a fun experience. Their positivity is contagious,”
he said.
Interestingly, during design sessions, witty moments occurred, such as when Konecny and his young counterpart Frankie shared a laugh over initials they infused into the design—”BAMF.”
The Flyers have distinguished themselves as the penultimate team to fully embrace SkateSkins at the organizational level. According to SkateSkins founder Matt Keeler, this marks a notable landmark for the initiative as it reaches NHL regulation ice for the first time.
“We are thrilled the Flyers wanted to be pioneers within the NHL regarding this concept and are looking forward to future collaborations.”
Players who were not part of the co-design experience will still honor the cause by sporting a standard Hockey Fights Cancer-themed design created by SkateSkins, featuring a space for each player to write the name of someone they wish to honor.
Keeler affirmed a commitment to making these designs accessible, mentioning how players ordered additional SkateSkins to gift their partnered kids, further solidifying the bond established during the project. As the 27th season of the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative unfolds, the collaboration between the NHL and the V Foundation continues to highlight the importance of unity in the face of adversity, demonstrating the profound impact it creates for both patients and players alike.
