NHL and NHLPA

In October 2016, our friends from the world of Hockey – Pat La Fontaine, Luc Robitaille and Omar Mitchell – participated as delegates in “Sport at the Service of Humanity: The First Global Conference on Faith & Sport” at The Vatican.

On Tuesday, September 6th – the NHL announced Hockey’s Declaration of Principles – a joint statement by 17 hockey organizations advocating the game of hockey as a powerful platform for participants to build character, foster positive values and develop important life skills that transcend the game.

Thanks to the efforts of Msgr. Melchor and The Vatican’s Head of Communications, Mr. Dario Vigano, we were able to deliver a letter from The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of Pope Francis, commending the hockey community for committing to the Declaration of Principles, inspired by last year’s Sport at the Service of Humanity global conference. Pat La Fontaine read the following statement from The Vatican during Tuesday’s NHL press conference:

“His Holiness, Pope Francis, was pleased to learn that an international group of hockey organizations has chosen formally to adopt the declaration of principles that emerged from last year’s global conference Sport at the Service of Humanity. His Holiness trusts that this significant gesture will inspire greater appreciation for the pivotal role that’s played by sports and sportsmanship in training future generations to pursue personal excellence and to promote the spiritual values of teamwork, solidarity and mutual respect that are so necessary for building a more just and fraternal world.”

Hockey is doing its part to bring the Sport at the Service of Humanity Principles to Life. We are confident that more individuals and organizations will follow suit to grow and strengthen the Sport at the Service of Humanity global movement.