Forsberg Clinic, Preds Foundation Raise $15,000 for Make-A-Wish

The Nashville heat may still be ever present, but the chill of hockey season was in the air this past Saturday at Ford Ice Center Bellevue for the fourth annual Filip Forsberg Hockey Clinic presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee.
Over 100 youth hockey players ages 7-14 were treated to a day on the ice with several notable Predators alumni, and $15,000 in proceeds went towards the Predators Foundation to benefit
Make-A-Wish
of Middle Tennessee.

"It means so much to the Foundation to be able to be a part of these kids' journeys through hockey," Predators Community Relations Coordinator Taylor Klein said. "It's one of my favorite events of the year. We get to work with kids and parents who are passionate about hockey and they just want to see the sport that they love continue to grow. They are also able to raise money in doing so."
The Preds winger and event-headliner was unfortunately not able to attend due to COVID-19 protocols and his status as an NHL player, but former Predators skaters J-P Dumont, Hal Gill and Stu Grimson were able to pick up the slack.
"This is one of my favorite events and I am very sorry that we won't be able to be together for the clinic," Forsberg said in an Instagram

. "I thank you for supporting Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee and appreciate the support from...Hal Gill and other Preds alumni who are participating in the clinic in my absence and I know they will make it a great afternoon."

The event was another terrific example of how the Predators continue to prioritize growing the game of hockey in Middle Tennessee. From initiatives like the
CORE
Program to a new outdoor dek rink in
Bellevue
to the Forsberg clinic, the Preds have had another transformative summer in the Nashville community. Gill, Dumont and Grimson played a large role in that, recognizing the importance of growing the game and fondly recalling their time in the campers' skates.
"It's awesome to see hockey in Nashville and Tennessee," Gill said. "I remember going to a camp and [former Bruins defenseman] Ray Bourque was there and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I ended up playing with him which is ironic. You never know, one of these kids might be the next player in the NHL or do something great. It's fun to see them at this age because I remember that."
The former Preds put the attendees through various skill drills and scrimmages to help them refine their expertise on the ice. With quick line changes, rotating stations and an enthusiastic bunch of hockey players, the event was nothing but a success. Gill, Dumont and Grimson were able to pass along their knowledge and, above all, each hoped to help the campers find a passion for the game that they love.
"All it takes is that one thing, that one memory that you have that makes it click," Gill said. "There might be some of these kids who learned something new and they are going to go back home to their driveway and start practicing it and then say, 'I want to play more,' and then they get the bug for hockey. It's all about finding that passion."
Although he could not physically be in attendance, Forsberg was there in spirit - his signature No. 9 was on each one of the campers' blue and gold autographed jerseys and his vision for the event was evident in each drill, picture and contest.
"[Filip] is always outstanding to work with. He never says no to anything. He signed all of the kids' jerseys, he signed 100 pucks for them before the clinic and obviously he wanted to be here," Klein said. "The fact that he is just as great of a person as he is a hockey player just makes it even better."