Whether you are an educator, parent, student, community partner, or potential supporter, you’ll find answers to common questions about Stronger Together Hockey Foundation Inc., our school experiences, educational resources, recognition opportunities, and community partnerships.
Stronger Together Hockey is the signature school and community initiative of Stronger Together Hockey Foundation Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that uses the universal lessons of hockey to help students connect, learn, and grow while building stronger schools and communities. Through engaging school experiences, educational resources, classroom activities, community partnerships, and Foundation Recognition Pathways, the Foundation encourages young people to discover their strengths, contribute to their communities, and recognize that everyone has an important role to play.
Beyond supporting student learning, the Foundation celebrates the many individuals who help schools thrive. Through its Recognition Pathways, participating schools have opportunities to recognize not only students, but also educators, volunteers, families, community partners, and other Community Champions whose leadership, service, and generosity strengthen school life. The Foundation also recognizes participating schools as they build cultures of belonging, participation, and community, culminating in its highest annual recognition, the Class of Blue designation.
At the heart of the Foundation is one simple belief:
You don’t have to wear a jersey to be part of the team.
Since launching in 2026, the Foundation has delivered school experiences, shared educational resources with more than 160 schools, and built partnerships with educators, hockey leaders, Indigenous leaders, artists, community organizations, and supporters who share a commitment to helping young people—and the communities around them—connect, learn, and grow. To learn more, visit our Media page or follow us on social media.
Stronger Together Hockey is designed for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. School experiences, educational resources, classroom activities, and recognition opportunities are adapted to reflect the age, interests, and learning needs of each audience.
Younger students explore teamwork, kindness, creativity, participation, and belonging through interactive activities and storytelling. As students mature, the Foundation introduces opportunities to explore leadership, service, wellness, career pathways, community engagement, and the many ways hockey can inspire learning and opportunity beyond the game itself.
Recognizing that students learn differently at different ages, the Foundation provides age-appropriate experiences that evolve as students grow. Whether working with elementary or secondary schools, the Foundation encourages students to connect, learn, and grow while helping schools celebrate the contributions of students, educators, families, volunteers, and Community Champions throughout the school year.
Participating schools also receive Foundation resources and recognition opportunities that can be adapted to their own community, helping students, educators, families, volunteers, and Community Champions connect, learn, and grow together throughout the school year.
Maple Pathways is Stronger Together Hockey Foundation’s career exploration and lifelong learning initiative. It helps students discover the many ways hockey inspires opportunity, not only through playing the game, but through leadership, creativity, innovation, service, and community.
Students are introduced to careers and pathways connected to sport, media, business, health care, education, technology, skilled trades, storytelling, community leadership, and many other fields. Through school experiences, educational resources, classroom activities, and Foundation Recognition Pathways, students are encouraged to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and recognize that meaningful contributions take many different forms.
At its heart, Maple Pathways reminds every student that success is not defined by wearing a jersey. It is defined by finding the unique ways they can contribute to their school, community, and future.
Tabletop hockey is one of the Foundation’s signature engagement activities because it creates an accessible, low-barrier way for students to experience teamwork, communication, creativity, and strategic thinking. More importantly, it brings students together around a shared activity that encourages conversation, collaboration, and face-to-face interaction in an increasingly digital world.
As part of the Mini Rinks, Big Dreams initiative, tabletop hockey provides an inclusive entry point for students of all backgrounds, abilities, and levels of hockey experience. The objective is not simply to play a game, but to create opportunities for participation, belonging, and relationship-building that help students connect with one another and discover that everyone has a place on the team.
Community partnerships play an essential role in helping Stronger Together Hockey Foundation expand opportunities for young people. Organizations, businesses, hockey groups, foundations, alumni, and community supporters contribute in many different ways by sharing their expertise, resources, equipment, experiences, and financial support.
Partnerships may help provide equipment for schools and families, support introductory recreation opportunities, create recognition experiences for students and school communities, sponsor educational resources and Foundation initiatives, or connect young people with mentors and positive role models. Every contribution helps remove barriers to participation while creating more opportunities for students to connect, learn, and grow.
The Foundation believes that access extends beyond equipment alone. It means creating welcoming opportunities where every student regardless of background, experience, or ability can participate, feel recognized, and discover that they have something meaningful to contribute to their school and community.
Every Stronger Together Hockey school experience is designed to strengthen connection, learning, and community. Experiences are adapted to the age, interests, and priorities of each school and may include engaging assemblies, classroom activities, tabletop hockey, guest speakers, performances, storytelling, interactive demonstrations, leadership opportunities, recognition initiatives, and community partnerships.
Rather than following a single model, the Foundation encourages schools to participate in ways that best reflect their own community. Together, these experiences help students connect, learn, and grow while strengthening relationships across the entire school community throughout the year.
No. Every school community is unique, and the Foundation is intentionally designed to be flexible. Schools are encouraged to choose the experiences, activities, and initiatives that best reflect their students, priorities, available time, and existing school culture.
Some schools may begin with a classroom activity, storytelling project, or recognition initiative, while others may participate in tabletop hockey, leadership experiences, community partnerships, guest speakers, or school-wide assemblies. There is no single path to participation. The goal is simply to create meaningful opportunities that help students, educators, families, volunteers, and Community Champions build stronger school communities together.
One of the Foundation’s greatest strengths is the diversity of voices that contribute to each school experience. Rather than focusing solely on athletes, Stronger Together Hockey brings together individuals whose experiences demonstrate the many ways people contribute to a team and a community.
Contributors have included hockey alumni, educators, Indigenous leaders, artists, musicians, historians, lawyers, media professionals, community leaders, and other individuals whose personal stories encourage students to discover their own strengths and possibilities. Featured speakers have included Rick Vaive, Dr. Kalley Armstrong, Mike Wilson, and Paul Patskou, and many others who share a commitment to helping young people connect, learn, and grow.
Not at all. In fact, many students who participate have little or no previous connection to hockey. The Foundation uses the universal lessons of hockey to explore teamwork, leadership, belonging, creativity, wellness, and community in ways that are relevant to every student.
Whether a student plays hockey, another sport, enjoys music, art, technology, storytelling, volunteering, or has never considered themselves “athletic,” the Foundation encourages them to discover that everyone has unique strengths and something meaningful to contribute. At its heart is one simple belief: you don’t have to wear a jersey to be part of the team.
Stronger Together Hockey is designed to complement—not compete with—the outstanding work educators already do. Participating schools have access to educational resources, Foundation Activity Kits, recognition opportunities, and school experiences that can be adapted to existing classroom learning and school priorities.
Whether through leadership activities, literacy and storytelling, STEM exploration, wellness initiatives, career pathways, community partnerships, or opportunities to recognize students and members of the broader school community, the Foundation provides practical and flexible ways to strengthen learning while building a positive, connected school culture throughout the year.
The Foundation’s educational resources are designed to help schools continue building connection, learning, and community throughout the school year. Rather than adding another program to an educator’s workload, the resources are intended to complement existing classroom learning while giving schools the flexibility to participate in ways that reflect their own priorities and culture.
These resources include Foundation Activity Kits, classroom activities, reflection and discussion opportunities, storytelling projects, leadership experiences, STEM and career exploration, wellness initiatives, community engagement ideas, and recognition opportunities. Schools are encouraged to choose the experiences that best support their students and school community.
The Foundation’s educational resources encourage students to build leadership, creativity, communication, teamwork, and community engagement while discovering new opportunities to contribute to their school. Just as importantly, they help schools strengthen relationships by creating opportunities to celebrate the many people who make a positive difference each day.
Students, educators, families, volunteers, and Community Champions all have opportunities to be recognized for the ways they strengthen belonging, participation, and community. Over time, these experiences help create traditions that become part of a school’s culture rather than isolated activities.
Recognition is one of the Foundation’s defining features. Rather than recognizing achievement alone, the Foundation celebrates participation, leadership, service, creativity, belonging, wellness, storytelling, accessibility, Indigenous learning, lifelong learning, and community engagement. Participating schools may recognize students, educators, families, volunteers, community partners, and other Community Champions whose contributions strengthen school life.
As schools participate in Foundation experiences throughout the year, they may also become eligible for additional recognition opportunities. These may include Foundation certificates, digital recognition badges, educational resources, Foundation merchandise, sporting goods, tickets to community and sporting events, leadership opportunities, scholarships, bursaries, equipment grants, special experiences, and the Foundation’s highest annual school recognition—Class of Blue.
Every school already has caring educators, dedicated families, and remarkable students. Stronger Together Hockey helps celebrate those strengths while providing practical opportunities to build belonging, participation, and community throughout the school year. Participating schools receive new ideas, community recognition opportunities, and access to Foundation resources throughout the year. Stronger Together Hockey is a school and community initiative that uses the universal lessons of hockey to help students connect, learn, and grow while strengthening relationships across the entire school community.
Through engaging school experiences, educational resources, Foundation Activity Kits, recognition opportunities, and community partnerships, students discover that leadership takes many forms, every individual has unique strengths, and meaningful contributions extend far beyond the game itself. At its heart is one simple belief: you don’t have to wear a jersey to be part of the team.
Young people today are growing up in a world shaped by increasing screen time, social isolation, anxiety, and fewer opportunities for meaningful face-to-face connection. Schools are often the one place where every young person can be reached, making them uniquely positioned to strengthen belonging and community.
Stronger Together Hockey responds by creating opportunities for students to connect with one another through shared experiences, conversation, creativity, leadership, teamwork, storytelling, and recognition. Rather than focusing on competition alone, the Foundation encourages every student to discover their strengths, build confidence, and recognize that they have an important role to play within their school and community.
The Foundation also recognizes that every student arrives with different experiences, abilities, cultures, interests, and life circumstances. By creating multiple pathways for participation and celebrating the many ways people contribute, Stronger Together Hockey helps foster school communities where more students feel welcomed, included, and valued.
No. Participation is always flexible and determined by each school and classroom. Educators are encouraged to adapt Foundation experiences and educational resources in ways that best reflect the needs, interests, and priorities of their students.
The Foundation is designed to support—not prescribe—the work of schools, recognizing that every school community is unique.
Some Foundation experiences may be photographed or recorded to celebrate student and community achievement, share positive school stories, and support community engagement. Schools always determine their own photography and media protocols, and the Foundation follows the permissions and privacy practices established by each participating school or school board.
Protecting student and community privacy while celebrating school communities remains an important part of the Foundation’s commitment to responsible community engagement.
No. Stronger Together Hockey is for everyone. Whether you enjoy hockey, another sport, music, art, storytelling, technology, volunteering, leadership, or simply working with others, there is a place for you.
The Foundation celebrates the many ways students contribute to their schools and communities. At its heart is one simple belief: you don’t have to wear a jersey to be part of the team.
That’s perfectly okay. Many students begin the program with little or no previous connection to hockey. Stronger Together Hockey uses the universal lessons of hockey as a way to explore teamwork, leadership, creativity, belonging, wellness, and community—ideas that everyone can relate to, regardless of their experience with the game.
The goal isn’t to turn students into hockey players. It’s to help them discover their own strengths, build confidence, and recognize that everyone has something meaningful to contribute.
Students have many opportunities to participate and be recognized throughout the school year. Schools may celebrate students who demonstrate leadership, kindness, teamwork, creativity, service, storytelling, wellness, accessibility, Indigenous learning, community engagement, and many other positive contributions.
Through the Foundation’s Recognition Pathways, participating students may become eligible for certificates, digital recognition badges, educational resources, Foundation merchandise, sporting goods, tickets to community and sporting events, leadership opportunities, scholarships, bursaries, equipment grants, and other special experiences. More importantly, recognition helps celebrate the positive difference students make within their schools and communities. The Foundation believes recognition should celebrate not only achievement, but also kindness, participation, perseverance, leadership, and the many ways students help build stronger school communities.
Stronger Together Hockey Foundation Inc. collaborates with a growing network of schools, educators, school boards, community organizations, sport organizations, Indigenous leaders, newcomer organizations, accessibility partners, volunteers, artists, and community champions who share a commitment to helping young people connect, learn, and grow.
Our work has included collaboration with the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), hockey alumni, educators, musicians, community organizations, and schools across Ontario. As the Foundation grows, we continue building partnerships that strengthen opportunities for students, schools, and communities.
Schools may participate in Stronger Together Hockey in a variety of ways throughout the school year. Participation may include school experiences, Foundation Activity Kits, classroom activities, storytelling initiatives, recognition opportunities, community partnerships, tabletop hockey experiences, leadership initiatives, and seasonal challenges.
Every school begins from a different place. The Foundation encourages schools to participate in ways that reflect their students, priorities, and community while building connection, learning, and belonging over time. Schools interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Foundation directly.
Thanks to the generosity of Community Partners Stronger Together Hockey strives to make participation accessible to schools whenever possible. Programming and Foundation experiences may vary depending on available sponsorship, partnerships, and scheduling, but there is no cost for schools to express interest or explore participation.
Schools wishing to learn more or discuss opportunities are encouraged to contact us at info@strongertogetherhockey.com.
Families are among the Foundation’s most important partners. Parents, guardians, grandparents, and caregivers help strengthen school communities by encouraging participation, sharing family stories, supporting community initiatives, celebrating positive contributions, and reinforcing the values of kindness, leadership, service, and belonging at home.
Many Foundation experiences, including storytelling activities and community initiatives, are designed to create meaningful opportunities for students and families to learn and grow together.
Stronger Together Hockey welcomes schools, businesses, foundations, sport organizations, community groups, volunteers, and individuals who share our commitment to helping young people connect, learn, and grow. Partners contribute in many ways, including supporting educational resources, school experiences, recognition opportunities, equipment access, leadership initiatives, newcomer and accessibility programs, storytelling projects, and community events.
Every partnership helps expand opportunities for students while strengthening schools and communities. Together, we are building a growing network of organizations that believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths and recognize that they have something meaningful to contribute.
Since launching in 2026, Stronger Together Hockey has attracted strong interest because it brings together education, community, and the universal lessons of hockey in a way that resonates with students, educators, families, and community partners alike. Rather than focusing on sport alone, the Foundation helps schools build connection, learning, leadership, and belonging through experiences that continue throughout the school year.
The Foundation’s emphasis on recognizing not only students but also educators, volunteers, families, Community Champions, and entire school communities has created a unique approach that continues to attract growing interest and support.
Stronger Together Hockey was co-founded by brothers Mario Bellissimo and Anthony Bellissimo, whose shared passion for hockey, education, community service, and youth development inspired the creation of the Foundation. Together with a growing team of educators, Indigenous leaders, hockey alumni, artists, musicians, historians, volunteers, and community partners, they continue to build an initiative that helps young people connect, learn, and grow while strengthening schools and communities.
The Foundation’s greatest strength, however, is not any one individual. It is the growing community of students, educators, families, volunteers, Community Champions, partners, and supporters who believe that stronger communities are built when everyone has an opportunity to contribute.
Michael Johnston brings extensive experience to Stronger Together Hockey as Digital Strategy Lead, with roles at Search Engine People Inc., Third Jersey Marketing, snapd Whitby, snapd Ajax, and Embrace Entertainment Inc. He holds a Digital Marketing Management Certificate from the University of Toronto (2015–2016).
Michael brings a robust skill set that includes editing, social media strategy, blogging, newsletters, and public relations, supporting the program’s growth and digital presence across schools and communities.
An avid hockey fan, Michael is passionate about using the game as a platform for connection and storytelling, helping to amplify the reach and impact of Stronger Together Hockey.
Boris Roberto Aguilar is a seasoned host and content creator with a deep passion for storytelling across multiple platforms. He has hosted countless podcasts, building a strong voice in both the sports and pop culture spaces.
In 2015, he expanded into podcasting with the ITS CANON PODCAST, diving into pop culture and geek news. Boris has also brought his voice to the airwaves, hosting a radio show on TSN Radio, further showcasing his versatility and connection to sports media.
In 2020, he helped launch BAM which in 2024 turned into EH+ Productions where he leads a team of content creators who delve into the world of Sports and Combat Sports. Beyond hosting, Boris produces multiple podcasts in the sports world, continuing to grow his footprint as a creative force in content creation.
By day, Boris is an IT professional with over 20 years of experience, blending technical expertise with a relentless drive to create engaging content.
Magda holds a Master of Arts in Administration from UKSW University in Warsaw, Poland, with a specialization in International Administration. Following her studies, she lived and worked abroad before settling in Canada, where she now calls home.
She brings an impressive background in analytics, bookkeeping, and procurement, in a multinational consumer goods company, and within a leading national Canadian immigration law practice. Her work across these settings has shaped a strong foundation in organization, financial processes, and operational coordination.
Drawing from her own experience, Magda recognizes newcomer inclusion as a key pillar of Stronger Together Hockey and supports the program’s continued growth and expanding reach.
Fiona is experienced in creative projects and dedicated to driving meaningful growth and systemic inclusion. Beyond her corporate expertise, Fiona is a passionate advocate for disability rights with a proven background in fostering accessible environments. She thrives on creative projects that bridge the gap between digital performance and social impact, ensuring that equity and inclusion are at the heart of every initiative she leads.
Sophia Zerai supports the program’s outreach, storytelling, and communications, helping share its message with schools, partners, and the broader community. Sophia is passionate about amplifying initiatives that bring people together and inspire young people through creativity, teamwork, and community connection.
Michael Daniele works with schools, community partners, and program supporters to help expand the initiative’s reach and build meaningful engagement opportunities for students. Michael is passionate about using sport and shared experiences to strengthen connections between communities and inspire young people to explore teamwork, leadership, and belonging.
Paul Patskou is one of Canada’s leading hockey historians. His expertise has supported major sports networks, documentary filmmakers, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Paul’s research shines light on the diverse stories, communities, and unsung contributors that have shaped the game. He inspires students to appreciate history, ask thoughtful questions, and value the many different roles that contribute to a team’s success.
Rick Vaive is a celebrated National Hockey League (NHL) alum best known as the first player in Toronto Maple Leafs history to score 50 goals in a season, a feat he achieved three times. As team captain, he earned a reputation for leadership, perseverance, and heart. He went on to careers in coaching and broadcasting. Today, Rick shares stories from his remarkable hockey journey to inspire young people to work hard, support one another, and use their gifts to build strong, caring communities.
Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Kalley recently received her PhD in Anthropology from Western University. Kalley is a former captain of the NCAA Division 1 Harvard University Women’s Hockey Program. She is an inductee of the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame and most recently worked in a hockey operations role with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
She runs Armstrong Hockey, a hockey school dedicated to the development of Indigenous youth hockey and the mentorship of First Nations girls, in honour of her late grandfather, George Armstrong, former captain and four-time Stanley Cup Champion of the Toronto Maple Leafs. She currently sits on the Hockey Canada Indigenous Advisory Circle and has coached high performance hockey at the USport and U18 level. She also gets the opportunity to represent her grandfather playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni Association, which she deeply enjoys.
Mike Wilson is widely known as The Ultimate Leafs Fan for his extraordinary lifelong dedication to hockey history and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has collected thousands of artifacts, hosted interviews with hundreds of hockey figures, and engaged audiences across Canada with his passion for the game. Mike encourages students to celebrate curiosity, pursue their interests boldly, and recognize the powerful connections sports can create.
Anthony Bellissimo is a former President of Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers (TECT) and remains a Board Member. He is a dedicated advocate for members, guided by an unwavering commitment to equity, fairness, and social justice. He is also cofounder of Stronger Together Hockey dedicated to youth empowerment, community engagement, and ensuring inclusive, diverse opportunities for all on and off the ice.
Mario D. Bellissimo is the co-founder of Stronger Together: Lessons from Hockey, Connection and Community, an education-first initiative that brings engaging learning experiences into schools using hockey as a lens to explore teamwork, leadership, creativity, and community participation.
Professionally, Mario is an immigration lawyer and community advocate who has long been involved in initiatives that connect education, youth engagement, and community development. Through Stronger Together Hockey, he works with educators and community partners to create meaningful experiences that encourage students to explore their interests, support one another, and discover the many ways they can contribute to their schools and communities.
Mario believes that curiosity, shared experiences, and the willingness to try new things can open unexpected doors for young people and that sometimes the most important lessons begin with simply bringing people together.