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Stronger Together: Lessons from Hockey, Connection and Community is an education-first program that uses hockey as a lens to explore teamwork, connection, and inclusivecommunity participation. Through structured school engagement and interactive learning activities, the program highlights how the values surrounding sport, collective effort, curiosity,creativity, and collaboration can support educational development while encouraging students to engage with one another through meaningful participation.
Grounded in three interconnected concepts hockey, connection, and community, the program uses hockey as a visible example of teamwork and engagement both on and off the ice. Connection reflects how individuals engage with the people and environments around them in their own way, bringing their interests, perspectives, and strengths into group activities and everyday life. Community emphasizes inclusive spaces where individuals learn, participate, and support one another. Stronger Together: Lessons from Hockey, Connection and Community is a structured youth engagement platform that uses hockey as a cultural catalyst to explore belonging, leadership, resilience, diversity, and access to opportunity. Hockey connects generations and communities across Canada.
Please contact us at info@strongertogetherhockey.com
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.
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.
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.
Rhea is an experienced and passionate educator and advocate who has dedicated her career to supporting students across diverse learning environments. As a Special Education lead teacher, she worked closely with students, families, and educators, while also serving as a key resource to over 17 teachers helping to strengthen understanding of differentiated instruction, inclusive practices, and effective classroom strategies.
Rhea leads with a strong commitment to equity, dignity, and inclusion for all students and parent communities. Throughout her career, she has championed initiatives that expand access, representation, and meaningful connection, particularly for students who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional learning or extracurricular opportunities.
Her leadership is grounded in collaboration, advocacy, and a deep belief that every student deserves to be supported and empowered to thrive.
In her role as Access and Community Advisor with Stronger Together Hockey, Rhea helps guide the program’s inclusive approach, ensuring that students of all backgrounds and abilities can engage meaningfully. She brings a critical perspective to the program’s focus on accessibility, newcomer inclusion, and community connection, helping to shape experiences where every student can see a place for themselves both on and off the ice.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
I’m a CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) expert with 5+ years of digital marketing experience. I love helping clients get more out of their websites; more experiences, more leads, more wins. I’m especially excited about how AI is changing the game and opening up new ways to create smarter, faster digital strategies. Always testing, always optimizing!
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.
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.
Brenda McFarlane serves as Brand Steward for Peter Puck and Penny Puck on behalf of Sports Family Ltd., acting as the primary family representative for licensing inquiries, educational collaborations, media opportunities, and legacy projects connected to these iconic hockey characters. Her role is to protect the integrity of the brand while helping bring Peter and Penny to new generations through thoughtful partnerships and storytelling.
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.
