Sheldon Kennedy

Twenty-five years ago, Sheldon Kennedy was playing at the highest level of hockey in the world, living the dream of millions of Canadian boys. But he was facing an impossible decision: whether to go public with his story of sexual abuse by his junior hockey coach. Sheldon shared his traumatic experience and it changed his life. Speaking out about abuse and, eventually, addiction hasn't always been easy. It's taken an enormous toll. But Sheldon keeps listening to other survivors, and encouraging the rest of us to listen as well. Sheldon has been a big part of the changes that have allowed others to come forward with their stories. But that work isn’t finished. Like his own recovery, it’s an ongoing process, and he continues to fight every day for himself and others. Sheldon's message is powerful and inspiring, filled with hope, strength, and an important lesson: take care of yourself so you can truly take care of others. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Wiebe and Sean Reynolds of Sportsnet welcome Sheldon Kennedy for an important discussion about taking the game of hockey to a better place.

The year 2021 was another in which sports seemed to be at the tip of the spear on issues relating to abuse. Over the past year, we have seen new allegations of abuse in the NHL, NWSL and the NFL. The Larry Nassar-USA Gymnastics sex abuse case also continued to make news. In this conversation, former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, himself a victim of abuse, and his fellow Respect Group Inc. founder Wayne McNeil discuss their work helping sports organizations and businesses of all kinds combat abuse, discrimination, bullying, and harassment.

10:38 | Former professional hockey player Sheldon Kennedy discusses the expanding sexual assault scandals across the NHL and what needs to change in the league and sport. 47:14 | Psychologist Dr. Jody Carrington explores the trauma front-line workers have endured during the pandemic which she's addressing in a day-long online event, Hello Hero, on November 5. 1:23:11 | #MyJasper Memories | Ryan shares how the community of Jasper is reflecting and remembering the sacrifices made by veterans in service to their country, from November 1-15, 2021. 1:29:27 | Teal Jones Forestry's Conrad Browne addresses the claims and actions of the Fairy Creek Blockade protestors and what the future holds for the company's project and the overall logging industry. 1:53:22 | Ryan reviews the results of the latest #QuestionoftheWeek, where Real Talkers responded to our survey on the recent elections in Alberta and the province's reputation. Presented in partnership with Y Station.

Guest: Sheldon Kennedy,  Former NHLer & Co-founder of Respect Group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*** In light of revelations that the NHL Chicago Blackhawks covered up a case of sexual abuse of one it's players by a member of it's coaching staff, we are re-posting this powerful interview with former NHL player and sexual abuse survivor Sheldon Kennedy. This interview originally aired in January, 13th, 2021. *** ***This interview contains subject matters and details that may not be appropriate for young listeners. *** Sheldon Kennedy is one of Canada's leading campaigners in the fight against child abuse. The retired NHL veteran and founder of the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre joins National Chief Bellegarde to discuss ways in which the pandemic has made child abuse worse, what can be done to improve that, his own history of abuse by his hockey coach as a teenager, and how telling that story gave him the strength to get his own life on track and help others, including First Nations survivors of Residential Schools. And, on a lighter note, Kennedy talks about how winning CTV's Battle of the Blades renewed his love of skating. Sheldon Kennedy played eight years in the National Hockey League, with the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins. As a teenager he led the Swift Current Broncos to a Memorial Cup championship, the best team in Junior Hockey. But it was also at Swift Current that Kennedy was sexually abused for years by his coach, Graham James. When Kennedy revealed this abuse publicly towards the end of his pro career, Graham James was convicted and sent to prison. He has since been convicted for the abuse of several more players. For Kennedy, this marked the start of a life dedicated to supporting and speaking out for sexual abuse survivors. His leadership, including founding the Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary and the Respect Group, saw him being awarded the Order of Canada in 2016. A big thanks goes out to the Red Dog Singers of Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan for our theme music. The Ahkameyimok Podcast is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions.

In Hour 4, we were joined by Former NHL'er Sheldon Kennedy & TSN's Ryan Rishaug

In the fall of 1996, the Canadian sports world was rocked by a major sex abuse scandal. NHL player Sheldon Kennedy courageously went forward to police to reveal he suffered years of abuse at the hands of his childhood coach, Graham James. When Kennedy broke his silence, it started an important conversation around sexual assault and opened the door for others to do the same. In 1997, James pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two former players -- including Kennedy. He admitted to sexually assaulting the boys hundreds of times. Since then, according to the Parole Board of Canada, there are six victims named on his record but the board notes he’s “admitted to have had sexual intercourse with around 20 hockey players he was coaching ... using manipulation, control and his position of trust and authority to facilitate the assaults.” One of the other hockey players James has admitted to sexually assaulting, is former NHL star Theo Fleury. In this episode of the Global News podcast, Crime Beat, crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares the stories of four men who James abused as boys. Learn the shocking details of how signs were ignored -- so were outright requests for help from hockey officials. These men now work every day to empower victims and take control back from their abusers. Hear their inspiring stories in “the scars that last a lifetime.” Contact: Twitter: @nancyhixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.caSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheldon Kennedy is one of Canada's leading campaigners in the fight against child abuse. The retired NHL veteran and founder of the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre joins National Chief Bellegarde to discuss ways in which the pandemic has made child abuse worse, what can be done to improve that, his own history of abuse by his hockey coach as a teenager, and how telling that story gave him the strength to get his own life on track and help others, including First Nations survivors of Residential Schools. And, on a lighter note, Kennedy talks about how winning CTV's Battle of the Blades renewed his love of skating.Sheldon Kennedy played eight years in the National Hockey League, with the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins.  As a teenager he led the Swift Current Broncos to a Memorial Cup championship, the best team in Junior Hockey. But it was also at Swift Current that Kennedy was sexually abused for years by his coach, Graham James.  When Kennedy revealed this abuse publicly towards the end of his pro career, Graham James was convicted and sent to prison. He has since been convicted for the abuse of several more players. For Kennedy, this marked the start of a life dedicated to supporting and speaking out for sexual abuse survivors. His leadership, including founding the Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary and the Respect Group, saw him being awarded the Order of Canada in 2016. A big thanks goes out to the Red Dog Singers of Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan for our theme music. The Ahkameyimok Podcast is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions.

Brady Leavold is joined by the worlds foremost leader is child advocacy. Sheldon Kennedy's story of strength and courage is simply incredible! His battle through sexual abuse, alcoholism, ptsd, addiction and mental health has been well publicized over the course of 24 years. Leavold and Kennedy share stories of abuse and how they are over coming it now. Please consider donating to the Sheldon Kennedy Advocacy Centre In Calgary Alberta. Visit H2H Website to enter to win free Team Issued Ltd. Swag www.hockey2heroin.com www.teamissued.ca Promo Code: ToeDrag15 Twitter: @hockey2heroin IG: @hockey2heroin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hockey2heroinpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkAIhdABxrnxpOEDavzZN2w?view_as=subscriber New Episodes of Hockey 2 Heroin Road 2 Recovery every Wednesday and Saturday on The Hockey Podcast Network www.thehockeypodcastnetwork.com @hockeypodnet