Park Girls Hockey Continues Powerful Mental Health Tradition with Annual Sophie’s Squad Game

Park Girls Hockey continues its powerful commitment to student well-being through its annual Sophie’s Squad Mental Health Awareness Game—an event that has become one of the program’s most meaningful traditions.

What began nearly four years ago as a response to a teammate’s mental health crisis has grown into a unifying movement. The Wolfpack’s first Sophie’s Squad Game sparked a shared purpose: supporting one another, creating space for honest conversations, and reminding young athletes that seeking help is an act of courage, not weakness.

A Partnership with Purpose

Since 2021, Park’s varsity and junior varsity teams—alongside their rivals from Woodbury—have proudly partnered with Sophie’s Squad, a nonprofit focused on destigmatizing mental health challenges among youth athletes. Now celebrating its fifth year, the organization has expanded statewide and beyond, collaborating with youth programs, college teams, and even professional athletes through partnerships such as the PWHL.

Game Day Filled with Meaning

This year’s Woodbury vs. Park matchup opened with a ceremonial puck drop marking the Wolfpack’s fifth annual Sophie’s Squad Game. The arena came alive with purple and teal—the signature colors of the movement—as Park players added touches of color to their helmets and hair ties. Both teams received mental health resources, which were also shared with fans to encourage broader community awareness.

Sophie’s Squad equips host teams with a comprehensive suite of tools to create a thoughtful and impactful event, including:

• Goodie bags for players and fans

• Educational materials on athlete mental health

• A game-day script and talking points

• Fundraising ideas and optional activities

• A parent letter and media announcement

While fundraising is optional, Park chose to contribute by hosting a Chuck-a-Puck event, donating all proceeds to Sophie’s Squad. Before the puck drop, players and fans joined in a moment of silence—an opportunity to reflect on the importance of mental health and the value of looking out for one another.

Honoring Sophie Wieland

In a heartfelt tribute to Sophie Wieland, the 14-year-old athlete whose story inspired the movement, Park players wrapped their sticks in teal tape and added teal #6 SW decals to their helmets. These symbols serve as a visible reminder of the ongoing need to check in, speak up, and support those who may be struggling silently.

Athletes Using Their Voices

Park’s athletes have taken this initiative beyond the rink, actively sharing resources and advocating for mental wellness throughout their school community.

Senior goalie Alayna Adamez reflects on the power of the event:

“I think it’s a monumental thing that we do. It’s amazing to show little girls and older people that your mental health matters every day. The game energy is always inspirational. It’s always electric.”

Senior center Alyssa Hill shared how Sophie’s Squad has personally impacted her:

“I’ve seen it help people tremendously. For me, it made it a lot easier to know that there may be other people going through the same things. Everybody has their own story. It’s totally okay to talk about it because we’re all human at the end of the day.”

Sophie’s Squad Vice President Matt Lee emphasized the heart of their mission:

“We really just want to help athletes understand that mental health is important. It’s something that they should treat like their physical health.”

A Tradition That Continues to Inspire

For the Wolfpack, the Sophie’s Squad Game is far more than a date on the schedule—it represents a long-standing commitment to supporting one another and uplifting their community. This year’s high school program includes 30 players and 6 team managers, with team captains dedicating hours to interviews, setup, and team discussions.

The game is especially meaningful for Park’s seniors. Eight of them, now in their fifth season, have been part of this tradition since its beginning. Their leadership and passion have shaped the team’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and advocate for mental health across the athletic community.

Through their partnership with Sophie’s Squad, Park Girls Hockey continues to foster a culture where mental health is prioritized, conversations are welcomed, and every athlete feels seen, supported, and valued.