Backchecking is as important to a team’s success on the ice as scoring. Some would say more important. Making a commitment to backchecking is making a commitment to the team, to work together, to intensely support one another, to sacrifice - sometimes at great cost - for the greater good. The BACKCHECK FOUNDATION was founded on this notion of commitment.

"Hockey has no greater test of your heart and intensity than your willingness to backcheck, particularly at the end of a sustained attack when the other team suddenly has the puck and you are exhausted.”

-Bruce Driver; The Baffled Parent’s Guide to Coaching Youth Hockey

Those who are part of the game understand what is meant by the phrase “Hockey Family IS Family.” These aren’t just idle words. They are demonstrated day in and day out at rinks and in communities all over the world. Being a hockey parent means that you now have 18 new children, and that you look out for them and care for them as if they were your own. It means embracing before-dawn practices, hours-long drives even for home games, and late-night adult league games. It means keeping score, tying countless skates, working the penalty box or the concession stand or the registration table. It’s packing the stands at 6am in an unheated ice rink… and occasionally packing the ER waiting room when one of your own is down.

It means we support the game, the team, and each other.