As part part of the 2017 NHL China Games presented by O.R.G. Packaging, Kevin Westgarth, the League's Vice President of Business Development & International Affairs, visited the Western Academy of Beijing on Tuesday to share his hockey story with the students. Chris Clark, the PR & Digital Communications Specialist at the school, was there. Here is his story:

NEW YORK -- When 17 hockey organizations helped craft the Declaration of Principles, they had someone like Philip Bannerman in mind.

Bannerman, 13, is in his ninth year playing for Ice Hockey in Harlem, a youth program in New York. He said the values he's learned through playing hockey have helped him on and off the ice.

NEW YORK -- Pope Francis commended the Declaration of Principles, unveiled Wednesday by the NHL and NHL Players' Association.

A letter from the Vatican was read during a press conference in Manhattan to announce the principles, which unites 17 organizations covering all areas of global hockey to advance policies, programs and initiatives, and inspiring fans, players and communities to create the best possible experience for the entire hockey community.

NEW YORK/ TORONTO - The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) today unveiled hockey's Declaration of Principles - developed by and for hockey stakeholders - to advance policies, programs and initiatives, while inspiring fans, players and communities to create the best possible experience for the entire hockey community. This joint statement advocates the game of hockey as a powerful platform for participants to build character, foster positive values and develop important life skills that transcend the game. 

The NHL believes hockey should be an enjoyable family experience, and that it develops character and life skills. 

Hockey has given me so much, but now it's about giving back. I am part of the development efforts by the NHL and NHLPA to grow the game, and every day I have the honor of speaking with people at all levels of the sport. What excites me most about these conversations is the consistency with which people talk about what they love about the game. They appreciate the speed, skill and artistry the sport demands athletically; but, more often, they talk about the people and values that embody the game. As we share the Declaration of Principles with the global hockey community, I wanted to share what the game has meant to me.

NEW YORK -- Sabrina Solomon visited the NHL offices in Manhattan on Aug. 18 for a day of meetings with League officials, among them chief marketing officer Heidi Browning and Commissioner Gary Bettman.

She presented ideas about how the NHL could better appeal to younger fans through several avenues, such as family-friendly ticket packages, kids-themed online trivia contests and a "Welcome to Hockey" educational app.

EDMONTON -- Edmonton Oilers left wing Jujhar Khaira was a Canadian kid who grew up with a love of hockey, on the street and on the ice in Surrey, British Columbia. Thanks to the sacrifices of hard-working parents who went out of their way to foster his devotion to the game, he earned his way to the NHL.

Khaira's heritage is uncommon; the 63rd pick of the 2012 NHL Draft is the third Indo-Canadian to play in the League. Robin Bawa, who played a total of 61 games over four seasons from 1989-1994 and Manny Malhotra, who played 991 games over 16 seasons from 1998-2015 are the other two. The 22-year-old is enthused about the message being highlighted by the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone month.