Healthy men: Kevin Bieksa and Troy Stecher stand up for health Fitnessnacks

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Men’s health is personal for both Stecher, who lost his father to diabetes, and Bieksa, who lost his friend Rick Rypien to suicide

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Published Aug 28, 2024  •  4 minute read

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The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation is the lead partner for the Pro Camp organized this week by Troy Stecher and Vancouver Hockey School’s Derek Popke, along with Kevin Bieksa. Photo: David Stevens Photo by DAVIDSTEVENS.PHOTO /prv

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The grin that flashed across Troy Stecher’s face Tuesday afternoon in the hallway of Richmond’s Minoru Arena when Kevin Bieksa, a star of Stecher’s youth, pointed out that the Richmond defenceman is definitely an NHL veteran, was vibrant.

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“It’s a bit of a responsibility for us older guys: I’m obviously retired, Troy’s a veteran — a veteran! — now in the NHL,” Bieksa began.

“Crazy,” Stecher interjected, his smile wide as can be. Stecher has played 494 games in the NHL. He’s 30. He’s definitely turning into a wise old hand.

Bieksa said their role is to show young players that they have a platform to promote positive change.

“We play hockey, we make a living out of it. We have a big fan base. We have a platform to do good things. So we all have our own charities that we support,” Bieksa said.

It wasn’t an accident that Bieksa and Stecher — both former Vancouver Canucks — were speaking to a report about the importance of  the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation: the CMHF is the lead partner for the Richmond Pro Camp organized this week by Stecher and Vancouver Hockey School’s Derek Popke, who has known Stecher and Bieksa for years.

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For the second year, Stecher and Popke have joined forced to organize the camp, with the help of Yard Athletics and Lululemon as well, to help local pro hockey players get ready for the season, as well as raise money for causes important to them. Last year, Stecher picked Diabetes Canada as the cause — his father Peter died in 2020 of complications from diabetes — this year, Bieksa suggested to his old friends they branch out to CMHF, which supports and partners with a broad range of causes, including Diabetes Canada and mental health programs.

Derek Popke of the Vancouver Hockey School at Pro Camp for men’s health in Richmond. Kevin Bieksa and Troy Stecher organized the camp. Photo: David Stevens Photo by David Stevens /prv

“I feel like there’s some responsibility just being a male myself. I think a lot of men are pretty proud and pretty reserved, in talking about their issues. There is nothing wrong with talking about your mental illness with close ones or finding some help,” Stecher said.

“I am just trying to support a cause that means something to me. In losing my father, last year we did Diabetes Canada. It was pretty specific. So this year we opened it up to the community of men’s health. Hopefully this touches more guys, hopefully more donations come in that way.”

Last year’s camp raised more than $20,000. (Donations can be made this year in person at Minoru Arena or online at the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation website.)

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Players skating this year include Canucks Dakota Joshua, Noah Juulsen, Danton Heinen, Arshdeep Bains, Christian Wolanin and Aiden Celebrini. Other NHLers in attendance include Vasily Podkolzin, Sam Reinhart, Brendan Gallagher and Kyle Burroughs.

“Troy did an amazing job putting this camp together this year. I know the charity means a lot to him. His dad had an huge impact on him growing up both as a father and a coach,” Popke said.

“The camp is obviously about raising money for men’s health but we also wanted to really focus on the community aspect this. All the kids and fans showing up each day means a lot to Troy, Kevin and all the players. It has truly turned into a community event which is great.”

Troy Stecher takes to the ice in Richmond at his Pro Camp for the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation. Photo: David Stevens Photo by David Stevens /prv

Bieksa saw from afar what a success the camp was in 2023 and wanted to help out this year, even in just a small way.

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He’s an ambassador for the CMHF already and felt they’d be a great partner for what Popke and Stecher were trying to do.

“They’re providing some great resources for men right now to combat mental illness and anxiety and depression. And there’s a lot of things going on out there. There’s a lot of people that are suffering. And obviously, I got into this through Rick Rypien when he took his own life. And the goal is to eliminate as many people taking their lives as we can,” said Bieksa, who is helping Popke run the players through their on-ice paces.

“It’s obviously great having Kevin join us this year help drive our camp initiative. It means a lot to Troy and myself,” Popke added.

Bieksa is involved with CMHF because he agrees with their mission to promote a healthy lifestyle.

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“They believe healthy men create healthy families, or healthy communities. I think we educated some of the players that were here,” he said. “A lot of them show up and they don’t really know the backstory.”

He said it’s important the players know that when they create a buzz, they can also raise money.

“And it’s cool to be a part of that. You see the atmosphere out there, there’s fans, there’s kids, everybody’s excited,” said Bieksa.

The camp has run all week, with on-ice sessions open to the public from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Minoru Arena. The final day is Thursday.

The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation is the lead partner for the Pro Camp organized this week by Troy Stecher and Vancouver Hockey School’s Derek Popke, along with Kevin Bieksa. Photo: David Stevens Photo by David Stevens /prv

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/kevin-bieksa-troy-stecher-stand-up-mental-health