Strong Minds.
Stronger Athletes.
Thriving Kids.
“I want the 1616 program to do 2 things. I want the kids understanding that the thoughts, feelings and challenges they’re facing are the same ones that professional hockey players deal with, and I want them to relate to and learn from all the experiences our storytellers have gone through. To me, success is bringing these conversations in to the open and allowing the kids to understand that they are not alone, success looks differently to everyone and they have people around them to help them along the way.”
– Andrew Ladd, Co-Founder & 2-time Stanley Cup Champion
We ran our initial pilot program in 2021, and it was a success!
Click below to see how it went:
What is.
Sixteen
Sixteen.
?
1616 is a 16-week mental, physical and social wellbeing experience for youth hockey teams that blends real-life stories and on-ice drills from the best hockey players in the world with proven research-based curriculum and tools.
Ladd Foundation (founded by 2-time Stanley Cup Champion, Andrew Ladd and his wife, Brandy) created 1616 to make mental fitness & wellbeing a more significant focus of youth hockey and to shift minor hockey culture to emphasize hockey performance as well as the development of connections, confidence and character.
The program is designed by a team of experts to help youth hockey players, along with parents and coaches, create enriched environments that promote healthy development.
Why 1616?
We believe that youth health and wellbeing is an urgent concern for our society. We’re on a mission to equip kids with the tools they need to discover, establish, and maintain competence, confidence, connection and character as a way of life.
We want to provide them with a foundation that will enable healthy growth and development despite potential challenges they may encounter during adolescence.
- Competence
- Confidence
- Connection
- Character
- Thriving
Building a buffalo mindset…
In our search for a name, we discovered that when a storm hits, every animal turns and runs away to escape the storm…every animal except the buffalo. Other animals scatter chaotically trying to escape, but buffalo calmly band together and head directly into the storm.
Through this program, kids will learn how to take on the attitude and mindset of the buffalo, to face life’s inevitable storms together, with courage and resilience.
There is overwhelming evidence that consistent quality sport participation is related to important youth outcomes spanning physical, social, and mental wellbeing—it can help establish a foundation for the development of thriving youth.
– Dr. Luc Martin
1616 Head of Curriculum Design
Featuring stories from players like…
Blayre
Turnbull
Rod
Brind’Amour
Patrick
Kane
Dustin
Byfuglien
Our goal is to build powerful young athletes from the inside, out.
We completed our 7-week pilot program that included 11 teams from across North America and over 500 coaches, players, and caregivers. The overwhelming results and feedback affirm our belief that 1616 meets a critical need and has the potential to transform youth hockey.
We are now raising funds and connecting with supporters like you for the development of our full 16-week program.
With your support, we have the opportunity to create something groundbreaking that will change the youth hockey experience for thousands of kids and lead to strong minds, stronger athletes, and thriving kids.
Case for support
Download our case for support and learn how you can get involved to help us bring this project to life.