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ROCHESTER — The Century/John Marshall girls hockey team was introduced to Sophie’s Squad last summer at the Minnesota Wild Leadership Summit.
Speakers from the organization shared the story of Sophie Wieland , a hockey player from Sartell, Minn. who took her own life in 2021 at the age of 14. Sophie’s Squad was founded in her honor to raise awareness about the mental health of athletes and to end the stigma around asking for help.
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“It just kind of caught their imagination, and they were all on board to try to do something to support that program,” Century/JM coach John Gamble said.
The team settled on hosting a Mental Health Awareness night during its game against crosstown rival Mayo at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Rochester Recreation Center. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sophie’s Squad.
“I think that it’s going to be one of our most important games that we’ve ever played in our career,” Century senior forward Caydance Hanson said. “We haven’t really had a big mental health night before, but obviously, mental health in athletes is very important, and I don’t think it’s talked about enough.
“So just getting the awareness out and hoping that we can make it more of a tradition in the Rochester hockey community, I think that’s really important, and obviously, hope we pull out a win.”
As a way to spread awareness, there will be a handful of promotions taking place throughout the night. Rochester Youth Hockey players are invited and can get in free with an adult if they wear their jersey.
Before the game, student representatives from Mayo High School’s Teens Offering Peer Support (TOPS) mental health program will perform the ceremonial puck drop. There will also be a chance to win Minnesota Wild tickets.
“(We’re) hoping to have a special night for the hockey community in town,” Gamble said. “Sophie’s Squad originated with a 14-year-old hockey player, so there’s that connection already to the community. And then I think their mission is really to support mental health and outreach for young athletes, really all the way up through college. So it kind of hits the trifecta of all of our communities.”
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For the players on the team, this night hits close to home.
“Being a teenage girl, especially in today’s society, is already hard enough,” Century/JM senior forward Megan Gamble said. “There’s so much social media negativity and just pressure to look this way or act this way. And so, on top of that, being an athlete with pressure from your coaches to perform well.
“And Sophie was a multi-sport athlete, she played the violin, was in student government – super involved. She just had a ton of pressure. And I think lots of girls throughout the world can relate to that, and I think it’s just important to talk about it and keep advocating that someone is always here for you, and you should reach out for help whenever you need it.”
Many of the girls have been playing together since they first picked up a hockey stick. They’ve always supported each other, and now, they’re hoping to do the same for other athletes their age.
“Some of my first friends are girls on this team, and it’s really cool to see how much people have grown up,” Hanson said. “But also, you kind of can relate to people, because everybody is dealing with mental health problems, and it’s kind of an outlet to talk to during the season. Your teammates and your coaches are the closest people to you and being able to talk about mental health with them is super important. And I think that this game will help kind of open up those conversations.”
As a coach, John Gamble said he acknowledges the importance of mental health by recognizing his athletes are much more than competitors in the sport they play.
“They’re students and people and citizens and daughters and a lot comes with that,” he said.
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To further this and help alleviate some of the pressure they might be feeling, the team has implemented a program called Hat Trick Club, focused on the connection between mental health and physical strength led by volunteer coach Nicki de Vera.
“We’re trying to develop young women of strong body, mind and character,” John Gamble said. “We actually devote some time each week to just talking about how we’re doing, checking in, building some tools and strategies to get through the ups and downs of being a teenager and an athlete.”
de Vera added: “I don’t want to speak on Sophie’s Squad’s behalf — I want them to be able to use their messaging — but from what I understand, it’s their hope that we start to open up those conversations, or we start to become safe adults — coaches do — for our athletes to have a space to talk about things that are really hurting them or bothering them.”
Since he started coaching, John Gamble has seen mental health awareness grow in the community. His team wants to continue that outreach, starting with the game against the Spartans.
“It’s hard to tell when someone’s struggling (with mental health), and it’s very different from physical health,” JM senior defender Paige Groslie said. “I think this night is really good so that, obviously, these little girls that hopefully come to this game will know that there is help. And kids as young as 14 could know that someone’s always there for them, and you’re not alone, and everyone else is dealing with the same things.”
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