From Timbits to Teamwork – Eagles Junior Hockey Team Inspires LGMS Students

It all started with a box of Timbits. During an unassuming lunch hour at Lawrence Grassi Middle School (LGMS) in 2023, the Canmore Eagles Junior Hockey Team made an unexpected appearance, fulfilling a friendly challenge after a practice competition. The team’s mission? Deliver donuts to a local school. What they didn’t realize was how this small gesture would spark a meaningful partnership that now bridges the worlds of sport, education, and mental health. For LGMS students, the sight of the Eagles players in their school hallways, handing out donuts and chatting casually, was an unforgettable moment - and a catalyst for something far bigger.

Witnessing the friendly banter and the energy sparked by the Timbit exchange, Ashley Butenschon, LGMS’ school and family wellness worker, realized it was more than just a fun moment. She saw a unique connection between LGMS’ students and the Eagles players - one that could inspire, engage, and strengthen the school community in profound ways.

“These players immediately had social credit with our students - even without having to do anything except put a jersey on,” she explained. “It prompted me to reach out to the team’s assistant coach, Ben Assad, to explore how the players could become more involved in our school. And from that single email, a dynamic initiative was born.”

For the last year and a half at LGMS, each Wednesday, five or six Eagles players pay a visit, kicking off students’ lunch-hour activities with a sport. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, or even volleyball, the Eagles focus on building inclusion among the student body. Afterward, the players head into classrooms to lead discussions on mental health topics like resilience and accountability. Each session is carefully crafted by the school’s mental health team, based on the challenges and trends they observe among students.

“The program’s focus on mental health emerged from a noticeable issue during hockey tryout season last year,” said Butenschon.  “Students who played hockey were struggling to separate what happened on the ice from their relationships at school.

“There was conflict,” she continued. “Students were being unkind to each other about what teams they made or didn’t make. It wasn’t just affecting the hockey players - it was impacting the entire student body. That’s when we realized the Eagles could play a crucial role in helping our school address this issue.”

Already admired by students, the Eagles quickly became ideal ambassadors for promoting kindness, respect, and resilience. Through candidly sharing their own triumphs and setbacks - including handling the disappointment of not making teams or managing personal challenges - they’ve shown LGMS students that even their heroes face struggles. More importantly, they’ve reinforced the message that it’s okay to ask for help.

“Sometimes it’s magical,” Butenschon reflected. “These young men make themselves vulnerable in a way that our students can relate to -  and not just the ones who play hockey. This openness has helped break down the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging students to seek support and empathize with one another.’

LGMS’ counselors and leadership team believe the impact of these sessions has been profound. 

“Students have started dropping by counseling offices more frequently, seeking quick resets or moments to talk,” said LGMS’ Principal Kelly Proudfoot. “ We’re seeing kids who never would’ve engaged with us before now taking those steps.”

It’s not just the students who benefit; the players gain valuable life experience as well. As Butenschon put it, “The assistant coach told me this partnership is as important for the players as it is for the students. It gives them a chance to grow beyond the game.”

The program hasn’t been without its challenges. Ensuring the focus extends beyond hockey and helping the players feel prepared to lead discussions requires thoughtful planning. The Eagles’ organization stepped up by involving their mental health coach to prepare players for each session. Butenschon said the school is working at providing discussion topics a month in advance, giving the mental health coach time to guide the players through their roles. “If they feel comfortable, our students get so much more out of it,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Butenschon envisions even more possibilities for this partnership. Ideas like a mental health night at a Canmore Eagles game or expanding the program to include broader community initiatives are already being discussed. 

“There’s so much potential to grow this,” she said. “We started with a simple goal, but now it’s evolved into something much bigger - a win-win for everyone involved.”

Butenschon shared that the sight of students lighting up as the Eagles walk through the halls is proof of a program that has truly made its mark. What began as a playful gesture - handing out Timbits - has grown into a powerful partnership that is changing students’ lives.

On Jan. 18, 2025, this inspiring story will reach an even larger audience during Sportsnet’s Hockey Day in Canada. Be sure to tune in and witness how a simple act of kindness sparked something extraordinary for LGMS students and the Eagles Junior Hockey Team.