"It's heartwarming": McGrath's after-school hockey more than a game

Changing it up from the ice to the cement, local hockey player and mental health advocate DJay McGrath is happy to share that his fun weekly hockey games are still going strong here in the spring.

Summer will be here soon, and McGrath has kept the activity he started up this winter in the Town of Kindersley alive.

• Sr. Klipper Djay McGrath puts on special game of shinny in Kindersley

Getting out to play the game he loves (no matter the surface) is something he looks forward to each and every week.

"It was such a good turnout in the winter with outdoor skates, and I wanted to keep it going."

McGrath loves to see everyone in attendance having a blast. He talked about how playing street hockey opens up the game for a brand-new group.

"I have been getting some new faces. Kids who don't necessarily play hockey," said McGrath, "I am just trying to make it so kids can come out and have fun, and make it for everyone. These last two times have been really good, remarkable, and it shows why I do this."

This winter's idea initially started out as an idea to just mess around and have some fun at the rink. McGrath knows firsthand what a great outlet the rink can be.

"When I get kids coming out for that hour, hour-and-a-half, leaving all of their problems behind and just getting them to have a smile and hang out with me? It makes my day too right." said McGrath, who has made hockey into a key release for himself.

Sharing his mental health story has earned him a ton of respect within the community, but at the end of the day McGrath said, "I do this for the kids and for myself because it's keeping me sober and keeping me sane."

McGrath instead credited Mona Graham and Jenn McLean as the 'snacksters' for the group who are always ready with a season appropriate treat.

"I don't even have to text her or anything. She is there at the street hockey game bringing freezies, water bottles." said McGrath, who gave a shout-out to all of the other willing volunteers as well. "It's heartwarming... I can't do it without the support of the community, and it's been a really good journey for me so far."

Anyone interested in playing a little stick-puck on Thursday can find all the details below. Today's game is set to feature some talented locals as special guests!