At Next Level Player Development Hockey Academy, we believe that developing athletes goes far beyond the game itself. That is why we have partnered with Tony Granato to help bring awareness to the importance of mental health and to reinforce a simple but powerful message: it's okay to ask for help.
Mental health challenges affect athletes at every level. Depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, the effects of concussions and CTE, and the pressures associated with competition can have a profound impact on players and their families. These are real issues that deserve understanding, support, and open conversation.
This mission is deeply personal to us. Through “Fight for Life” docuseries and helping athletes at “The Ranch”, we are committed to creating resources, support systems, and educational opportunities for athletes who may be struggling. Our goal is to provide hope, guidance, and a community where individuals know they are not alone.
We encourage you to take the time to learn more about these important issues. By increasing awareness and understanding, we can help remove the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that athletes and families have access to the support they need. Together, we can make a difference—one player, one family, and one life at a time.
Former NHL goaltender Clint Malarchuk opens up about surviving one of the most traumatic incidents in hockey history, while confronting the mental health challenges that followed. His story is a moving reminder that healing is not a destination, but an ongoing journey.
After suffering a near-fatal cardiac arrest on the ice, Craig Cunningham faced the unimaginable reality of redefining his future beyond professional hockey. His episode explores resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn.
Beloved NHL broadcaster and former player Eddie Olczyk shares his battle with cancer, offering an honest and inspiring look at the challenges of treatment, recovery, and the gratitude that comes with a second chance at life.
Mental health has become one of Tony Granato's most important passions and purposes. Through his own journey overcoming brain cancer and the life-changing challenges that accompanied it, Tony gained a deeper understanding of the emotional battles that so many people face in silence. Those experiences reinforced his belief that no one should have to navigate hardship alone.
As a member of the Board of Directors for The Ranch – Teammates for Life, Tony is dedicated to helping break the stigma surrounding mental health in the hockey community and beyond. The organization's mission is rooted in compassion, connection, and the belief that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. By creating safe spaces for conversation and support, The Ranch works to ensure that individuals facing mental health challenges know they are seen, valued, and never alone.
Tony has made it his mission to use his platform to elevate awareness and encourage honest conversations about mental health. Through public speaking engagements, advocacy efforts, charitable initiatives, and his docuseries Fight for Life, he shines a light on the personal stories of athletes who have faced trauma, illness, addiction, and mental health struggles. By sharing these powerful journeys of resilience and recovery, Tony helps inspire hope while reminding others that healing is possible.
For Tony, this work extends far beyond hockey. It is about fostering understanding, encouraging connection, and helping people find the courage to reach out when they need support. His commitment to mental health awareness reflects a simple but powerful message: every life matters, every story deserves to be heard, and no one should have to fight their battles alone.
I hereby give my permission for my child(ren) player to participate in the Next Level Player Development Academy or Program(s) or as known as (NLPD Hockey Academy or NLPD Academy or Program(s)) Participation in any program which involves physical activity exposes the skaters to certain risks and dangers. Accidents and injuries are always a possibility, and it is impossible to foresee and protect the skaters from all conceivable dangers. I hereby affirm that my child(ren) player has/have no conditions that would make it unsafe for him/her/them to
participate in Next Level Player Development Academy and program(s).
I understand that the Next Level Player Development Academy or Program(s) may exclude my child(ren) from skating or off ice workouts in the event that I or my child(ren) fail to abide by the NLPD Academy or Program(s), or Brighton Area Schools, health and safety protocols, disrupt, impede or interfere with the operations of the NLPD Academy or Program(s) or threaten the health, safety or welfare of other participants or Next Level Player Development Academy or Program(s) staff, and that no refund of any fees will be made in such circumstances. Medical Consent: I understand that the NLPD Academy or Program(s) will NOT be held liable and parent(s) accept responsibility for the costs of all such medical treatment.
Photography Release: In consideration of child(ren)’s participation at the NLPD Academy or Program(s) and without any further consideration from the NLPD Academy or Program(s), I hereby grant permission to the NLPD Academy or Program(s) staff and affiliates to utilize my child(ren)’s appearance, performance or voice in any and all manner and media throughout the world for the purpose of promotion, reporting or publication. The NLPD Academy or Program(s) may use my child(ren)’s, likeness, voice and biographical material in connection with publication, promotion, and distribution of such material. I understand that no royalty, fee or any other compensation of any kind shall become payable to me by reason of such release and use of any photograph on ice or off ice workouts
By signing this Waiver and Release of Liability, with full appreciation of the risk involved, on my own behalf and on behalf of my child(ren), I hereby voluntarily release and forever discharge the NLPD Academy or Program(s), its staff Arena (Hartland Ice House) or Brighton Area Schools, responsibility for any personal injury, disability, illness, damage, medical expense or death, arising from NLPD Academy or Program(s) or related to my child(ren)’s participation in NLPD Academy or Program(s). I agree, for myself and my child(ren), not to make any type of legal or equitable claim on the NLPD Academy or Program(s), or any of its trustees, officers, employees, staff, agents, insurers or contractors with respect to any injury I or my child(ren) may suffer, whether or not it arises through the negligence, omission, default or other action of anyone affiliated with the NLPD Academy or Program(s), including other skaters, I further agree that if any such claim is made, I will indemnify and defend the NLPD Academy or Program(s) with respect to any such claim, injury or damage.
