Meet Our Champions
Safe4Sports has been championed by some legendary names in ice hockey.
Kerry Goulet
CO-FOUNDER AND AMBASSADOR
Former star European hockey player, coach and general manager, Kerry now focuses all of his efforts into generating awareness of concussions and neurotrauma. Kerry suffered two documented concussions and knows first-hand the effects of post-concussion syndrome. His expertise helps him function as an educational speaker, as he spends countless hours speaking on behalf of preventing concussions.
Katie Weatherston
Ambassador and Skills Development Specialist
Katie began her National Team association in 2004. She won gold medals at three Four Nations Cup tournaments (2004, 2005, & 2007), as well as a gold medal at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. At the Olympic tournament, Katie tallied 4 goals and 1 assist, the most notable point being the game winning goal in the semi-final victory over Finland. She has also won a gold medal at the 2007 World Championships, which was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Katie runs her own successful women’s hockey camp in Thunder Bay and is one of Safe4Sports lead instructors for the women’s development platform.
Francois Landreville
Ambassador and Skills Development Specialist
Somang Hockey is an international hockey development program based in Lachenaie, Quebec. Players from Japan, Korea, Ireland, Scotland, Barcelona, France, USA and Canada.
Terry Yake
Former professional ice hockey player for ice hockey for the Hartford Whalers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals.
Zenon Konopka
Konopka made his NHL debut with Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 2005-06. In 2007 the Ducks traded Konopka to the Columbus Blue, where he lead the league with 265 penalty minutes. Konopka also played for the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres.
Paul Rosen
Rosen played amateur hockey during his teens and 20s. A lower leg injury let to an amputation at age 39. Rosen mastered the game of sledge hockey, becoming goalie for Canada’s national team from 2000 until he retired just after the Vancouver Paralympics in 2010, at age 50.
Chris Heid
Drafted by Minnesota Wild 2001 Chris Heid looks back on a 11-year professional hockey career in the AHL, DEL and DEL2. After he had to end his career after his fifth concussion in 2013, he is now a trained mental coach by the University of Salzburg in cooperation with the Mental College Bregenz and helps volunteer at EV Regensburg in the Oberliga Süd in training operation.
Keith Primeau
CO-FOUNDER AND AMBASSADOR
Keith played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers. He was captain of the Philadelphia Flyers until his fourth documented concussion forced him into retirement. He is not only a co-founder and the key to StopConcussions, he also helped author the book, “CONCUSSED”.
Dan Blackburn
Ambassador and International Coach
Dan, author and founder of the Pillars of Greatness, a program to help you unlock your greatness within you. Since 1997, Dan has helped people turn their fears, frustrations and failures into powerful success stories. Dan has trained thousands, including champions like PK Subban of the New Jersey Devils; Jeff Skinner of the Buffalo Sabres and Tyler Sequin of the Dallas Stars.
Dan has a keynote series for schools, associations, corporations, and clubs, with a 12-month mentorship program or as a series of downloadable manuals and podcasts, the curriculum teaches 3 life-transforming principles that will help you form a plan to shatter the fears and failures that have stopped you from creating the life you want.
Peter Flache
Peter Flache is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Flache was taken in the OHL Priority Selection by the Guelph Storm in the 6th Round in 1999.
Dave Hanson
Dave Hanson, a 10 year professional hockey player and an iconic Hanson Brother from the cult-classic movie Slap Shot, has been a supporter of StopConcussions and has participated in helping raise awareness about the program by participating in events in Germany and North America.
Patt Graham
Left-winger Pat Graham was a part-time player with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs in the early 80s. The Toronto native played junior B with the St. Michael’s Buzzers before enjoying a fine OHA career with the Toronto Marlboros and Niagara Falls Flyers.
Jim Vitale
After a lengthy minor hockey career with the AAA Vaughan Kings of the GTHL, Jim moved on to play Tier 2 Jr. A for both the Markham Waxers and the Vaughan Vipers. He completed his playing career with the Queens Golden Gaels and began coaching in 1999. Since then he has had many successful coaching positions from minor hockey to the national level.
Malcolm Sutherland
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETE & PLAYER SAFETY
Malcolm Sutherland HBPHE, MSc. Kin., is a coach, physical educator, sport pedagogist, and SME in sport development, sport safety and injury prevention. He is current Director of Athlete & Player Safety for StopConcussions and the Shoot For A Cure campaign. As an athlete and player safety expert Malcolm has developed prevention tools and a program to control serious injury in sport. As a Chartered Professional Ice Hockey Coach (Coaches of Canada), Master Coach, Coach Developer (NCCP) and member of Hockey Canada’s Writer’s group, Malcolm has studied and critically evaluated sport structures and coach and player development models and their outcomes. In the sport of ice hockey he has coached for more than 20 years at every age category and level of play including Varsity and Professional.
Ron Ellis
Ron Ellis played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs and won a Stanley Cup in ’67. He is also a member of Team Canada ’72 and is on the advisory board of StopConcussions.
Christian Hanson
Hanson recently retired from a 7 year professional hockey career in the NHL, AHL and Europe. He now works alongside former NHL players and ambassadors of StopConcussions to help make a difference in the lives of all past, present and future hockey players.
Scott Hannan
Hannan was born in Richmond, British Columbia. A 16 year veteran of the NHL, Hannan announced his retirement on February 24, 2016. Hannan most notably known for his role with the San Jose Sharks; also played with Colorado, Washington, Calgary and Nashville.
Adam Bennett
Adam Bennett is a former NHL defence man and coach. He was selected in the first round of the in 1989 and was taken 6th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks. He is a big advocate for safety in sport and has been a tremendous asset as an ambassador for Stopconcussions as he has dealt with his personal concussions and his daughter in sport.