THUNDER BAY -- Haley Irwin has two gold medals under her belt, but she can still find time to help the next generation of hockey stars take that next step.
The Thunder Bay Olympian spent a few hours on Wednesday night encouraging 15 up-and-coming female hockey players as they were put through a series of dry-land training exercises at Fort William Stadium, even taking part in a few drills herself.
“I don’t make it back as often as I would like, but this is where I grew up, this is what gave me hockey and this is probably where I learned some of the most basic skills of hockey and life lessons,” said Irwin, who has been off skates for the past nine months, still suffering the effects of a concussion.
“I want to be able to come back and do the same for those girls who are that age, and even the boys who play in the city. It’s always fun to get involved and try to give back as much as you can.”
Wednesday’s event was also a fundraiser for PRO Kids, an organization that makes it possible for youngsters whose parents might not have the means to take part in a variety of different sporting activities, hockey included.
It’s a cause Irwin is only too happy to support.
“They’re helping kids get involved in sport when maybe they didn’t have that opportunity and sports can be expensive,” she said. “It’s not just hockey. It’s any sport. And if that’s a reason a child doesn’t have the opportunity to play something and to dream big, that’s when our community needs to step in. And that’s exactly what PRO Kids is.”
Fourteen-year-old Caitlin Olinski was excited at the chance to train alongside one of her hockey heroes.
The teen, who plays for the Thunder Bay Queen’s organization, said it’s pretty cool that someone who won Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014 would give up her evening to help out.
“I think it’s just great. She’s done so good in hockey and she’s taking time out of her own day to come help us, and she doesn’t come here much,” Caitlin said.
“She’s trying to make us get better, so I think that’s awesome.”
Like Irwin, the youngster said she thinks PRO Kids is a great organization that gives back to the community, which is why she wanted to help out.
“PRO Kids helps out so many other kids and I think it’s good because every kid can get a chance to try an new sport. It’s awesome.”
Irwin said she’s taking her injury in stride, looking to see improvements each and every day.
“I know it will get better,” said Irwin, not worrying about when she’ll get back on the ice, but calling the past nine months the most frustrating time of her life.
“For me it’s not worrying about a (return) date. It’s just getting better every day and become a healthy human being again.”
