On Saturday, February 14, the Loomis Chaffee varsity girls and boys hockey teams will take the ice against Choate and Salisbury, respectively, at the Savage/Johnson Rink. While both matchups promise exciting competition, the games also aim to bring attention to an important cause: student-athlete mental health and the ongoing effort to reduce stigma within sports culture. 

The games are part of an effort to support the mission of The Hidden Opponent, a nonprofit organization that advocates mental health awareness among student-athletes. According to the organization’s mission statement, it aims to “advocate, educate, and support” by amplifying the voices of student-athletes, breaking stigmas, and providing resources to those in need. The organization asserts that all athletes should feel comfortable speaking openly about their mental health experiences without fear of judgment or being perceived as weak. 

In addition to advocacy, The Hidden Opponent seeks to educate communities about the mental-health challenges that student-athletes face, such as performance pressure, academic stress, and trying to maintain balance in their lives. The organization’s work encourages teams, schools, and society at large to rethink perceptions of the student-athlete experience, promoting greater understanding and support. 

Saturday’s games offer an opportunity not only to cheer on the hockey teams, but also to reflect on the broader importance of mental health in sports and to champion a supportive and inclusive athletics culture. 

Both the girls and boys teams will wear special themed uniforms for the event, and fans are encouraged to wear black and green when they come out to support. 

During the games, donations may be made by cash or Venmo to purchase a puck for the Chuck-a-Puck contest. Fans will toss their pucks toward center ice, and the participant whose puck lands closest to the center faceoff dot will win a prize. All donations collected will be given to The Hidden Opponent Organization. 

The girls game begins at 3 p.m., followed by the boys game at 6 p.m.