Hockey tournament adds locker room talks on mental health
The 11th annual event in Sioux Falls now includes direct conversations with players about seeking support.
By Yasmin Farouk ·
Angela Drake is adding a new component to the 11th annual Fight Like a Ninja Hockey Tournament currently taking place at the Scheels Ice Plex in Sioux Falls. While the event has always been a gathering for competitive hockey, Drake has introduced mandatory locker room sessions this year. The goal is to ensure every player understands that mental health is a priority and that asking for help is acceptable.
Drake founded both the organization and the tournament. It is held in honor of her daughter, Brittany Corcoran. The event brings together teams of girls ranging in age from 12 to 19. Drake hopes these direct conversations will create a lasting culture of support within the teams participating in the competition.
Players from the competing teams responded to the new initiative. Charlee Wehrspaan, who plays for Team Ninja, said the talks are meaningful because she knows friends on other teams who struggle with mental health. She tries to play hard and share information about the tournament to help those friends. Ellie, a player on the Omaha 12U team, noted that she has faced many mental health problems. She said it is comforting to know a tournament exists for this purpose and that her team supports her.
Charlotte, also on the Omaha 12U team, described the event as more than just a game. She said the experience reminds her that she has people there for her and teaches her that she can be there for others. The tournament runs through the end of the week at the Scheels Ice Plex.
The addition of these talks marks a shift in how the event addresses the well-being of its young athletes. Previous editions focused on confidence and connection, but this year the explicit focus on mental health resources is a new addition to the schedule. Drake is leading these sessions personally to ensure the message is clear to all participants.
