True teammates bring out the best in one another. They celebrate wins together and work through challenges together. When Brenden joined the Trinity hockey team in October of 2021, he was shy and had a difficult time making conversation. But his teammate John changed all that, forming an unbreakable bond with Brenden along the way.
“Since joining Team IMPACT, Brenden has totally come out of his shell,” Brenden’s mom, Tory, said. “Prior to joining, he barely spoke in public to anyone. John never gave up on trying, always attends his games, meets us for doughnuts or even board games. On the ice he will skate over to wrestle with John for the puck or play box off the ice. He openly talks to John about upcoming events, school, and sports. Outside of the program though, we have seen Brenden flourish and develop close friendships. He now engages in conversation with his classmates and own sports teams and has begun to branch out for playdates.”
Brenden’s connection with John was immediate, growing so much in their three years together that Brenden nominated John as his 2024 Team IMPACT Teammate of the Year. “Their love and empathy for one another is my favorite thing to see,” Tory said. “From Brenden having a rough week to an injury for John, they equally worry about each other. Even on the toughest days they are excited to see one another and spend time together.”
“From the start, John has gone out of his way to make sure Brenden feels included in any way possible,” Tory said. John organizes a team-wide cookie and ornament decorating contest every Christmas, bringing the guys together for some friendly competition. He attends Brenden’s own games, supports him at extracurricular activities, and attends all his life events. “John has always gone above and beyond for Brenden,” Tory shared. “No matter how crazy their schedule is, he will always make time for Brenden.”
This year, John graduated from Trinity College, and Brenden cheered for his best buddy from the stands. When the two saw each other on graduation day, they both broke down into tears, knowing their years as Bantams were made so special because of one another. “John is truly what Team IMPACT prides their program in being,” Tory said. “He is a teammate, a best friend, a big brother, and the best role model we could ever ask for.” Even though Brenden and John’s time as Bantams together is coming to an end, they both graduate knowing they found lifelong friends in one another and became the teammates, best friends, and brothers they were always meant to be.
