More than 45 students from the Boys and Girls Clubs at Sands Secondary and North Delta Secondary visited Rogers Arena, the home of the Vancouver Canucks, on Wednesday, February 28, to hear stories of resiliency from Canucks players and executives.
The occasion formed part of the collaborative initiative called “Lessons in the Locker Room,” a partnership between the Vancouver Canucks and the East End Boys Club (EEBC). This initiative aims to give students insights from community figures on navigating through challenges to succeed.
The first speaker, Émilie Castonguay, Assistant General Manager of the Canucks, shared her journey. Despite facing the disappointment of women not being able to play in the NHL, she pursued a career in the business side of hockey. With a background in law and extensive knowledge of team management acquired through internships, she became the first female player agent before joining the Canucks in 2022. She emphasized the importance of self-belief and finding supportive mentors.
Suzan El-Khatib, Vice President and General Legal Counsel at Aquilini Investment Group, shared her path to becoming a lawyer, starting from graduating high school at 16 and studying law at UBC. Using sports analogies, she imparted valuable advice on education, goal-setting, hard work, and enjoying the journey.
Francesco Aquilini, owner of the Canucks, showcased his entrepreneurial spirit developed from a young age, utilizing opportunities around him to earn money. He encouraged students to work hard, develop skills, and seek mentorship.
Canucks player Dakota Joshua shared his journey using hockey to pursue a college education and eventually reaching the AHL and NHL. He urged students to contemplate their life goals and take consistent steps toward them.
Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, expressing gratitude for the enlightening experience and inspiration gained from the speakers. “My experience at Lessons in the Locker Room was amazing. It was extremely fun and something I will be looking forward to next year. This was my first year and an amazing opportunity and learning experience.” — Marcus, from Sands Secondary.
“It was my first time being at Roger’s Arena, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to participate in something like this. The Captain’s Room was amazing, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Each guest speaker was incredible – Suzan, Émilie, Mr. Aquilini and Dakota Joshua were all spectacular. Each of their stories was inspiring and interesting. Mr. Aquilini is now one of my biggest influences. It was an honour to share a room with these incredible people. Overall, the speakers, the tremendous food, and the unique merchandise all led to a great experience and one that I will never forget.” – Shubhi, Sands Secondary.
“I would like to give a big thank you to the East End Boys Club and the staff at Rogers Arena. The presenters have inspired me. This field trip was my first time at Rogers Arena, and I thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality. Thank you to Jim and Mr. Aquilini for the opportunity.”—Soham, North Delta Secondary.
“The Rogers Arena trip was one of the best trips of my lifetime. It was very inspiring, and many speakers gave us their precious time.”—Dhruv, North Delta Secondary.
“The trip was perfect, and I enjoyed it very much. My favourite part was meeting the owner- that was really good, and I’m happy to be part of the Boys Club at North Delta. I would love to go back to Rogers Arena. My highlight was meeting new people and the food was really good.” – Krish, North Delta Secondary.
The event, coordinated by EEBC Founder and Executive Director, Jim Crescenzo, focuses on providing youth with leadership training, life skills, and post-secondary guidance. The Boys and Girls Clubs at Sands and NDSS collaborate with EEBC to offer students social and employment skills training, exposing them to various career opportunities and enhancing their employability.
