OPEN ICE: NHL Mental Health Panel
We would love to invite you and your family to this NHL Mental Panel hosted by former athlete, coach, and therapist specializing in athletes’ mental health and mental performance, Barb Egan. Barb is the owner of Alive Counselling, a therapist, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She is a supervisor with Third Space Charity, supervising graduate students to provide affordable counselling in the Okanagan. All proceeds of this event go back into our community to Third Space Charity for affordable mental health counselling
For the last year and half we have partnered with our good friends at OKGN Lifestyle to put on a quarterly mental health series called Open Space. For this one, I am especially excited as I recruited some of my fellow hockey friends to join to share their stories with our community!
NHL alumni on the panel to share their stories::
- Shea Weber -NHL Hall of Famer, Team Canada, Captain
- Wade Redden – NHL All-Star & Olympic Defenceman
- Mike Smith – NHL Goalie known for grit, passion, and puck-handling
- Andrew Ladd – Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, 1616 Foundation Founder
- Jordin Tootoo – First Inuk NHL Player, Author, Mental Health Trailblazer
Meet Your Host, Barb Egan
🏒 Open Ice: NHL Mental Health Charity Panel
In order to play your best, you have to feel your best.
📍 Kelowna, BC at the Rotary Centre
🗓️ Tuesday, September 23, 2025
🎫 GET TICKETS HERE
⚠️ Our last event sold out—don’t wait to reserve your seat!
Hosted by Barb Egan
Registered Clinical Counsellor, Approved Clinical Supervisor and Supervisor with Third Space Charity
Therapist Specializing in Athletes’ Mental Health and Mental Performance • Former Elite Athlete & Coach • Founder & Owner of Alive Counselling
“Just like we train and care for our bodies to build physical strength and stay healthy, we also need to train and care for our minds. Because in hockey—and in life—you can’t play your best unless you feel your best.”
🎤 The Panel: NHL Alumni Share their Stories
Join us for a candid and inspiring evening of stories that go beyond the highlight reel. We’re bringing together four retired NHL players for a live panel conversation on mental health, resilience, identity, and life beyond the game.
Featured NHL Panelists:
- Wade Redden – NHL All-Star & Olympic Defenceman
- Mike Smith – NHL Goalie known for grit, passion, and puck-handling
- Andrew Ladd – Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, 1616 Foundation Founder
- Jordin Tootoo – First Inuk NHL Player, Author, Mental Health Trailblazer
Barb Egan, RCC and mental health and performance therapist for athletes, will moderate this live conversation and time for audience interactions and Q and A.
Two Ways to Experience the Night
🧊 VIP MEET + GREET
🕓 4:00–5:00 PM
📍 OKGN Lifestyle Apparel Shop
- Meet the players face-to-face
- Get autographs and photos
- Enjoy complimentary food & beverages
- Receive a swag bag + OKGN merch discount
- Access reserved front-section seating at the panel
- All proceeds of this event go back into our community to Third Space Charity for affordable mental health counselling
🎤 MAIN EVENT: NHL PANEL ON MENTAL HEALTH
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Mary Irwin Theatre – Kelowna Community Theatre
- Powerful live panel with audience Q&A
- Unfiltered storytelling from the players
- Real conversations about mental performance, identity, pressure & resilience
- Community vibe with interactive spaces & giveaways
- All proceeds of this event go back into our community to Third Space Charity for affordable mental health counselling
Why This Night Matters
Just like we train and care for our bodies to build strength and health, we need to train and care for our minds.
This night is about more than hockey. It’s about:
- Navigating life’s highs and lows with honesty
- Creating space for conversations about mental wellness
- Building a more resilient, compassionate community
- Planting seeds in the next generation—athletes, parents, and people alike
Whether you’re 9, 19, or 49 — this night is for you.
A Personal Invitation and Note from the host, Barb
As a hockey mom, coach, player, and therapist, I’m honoured to help hold this space for not only these great players, but people whom I get to call friends. I’ve seen the impact these conversations have—and I’d love for you, your kids, your teammates, your coaches, your friends and our community to be part of it.
We want everyone to have a seat.
📧 [email protected]
📱 778-215-4020
🔗 🎟 CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS
If this resonates with you and you want to work with Barb or have her speak to your team on mental health and mental performance, contact her here:
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