Seguin, Hardy and Page were also impressed by the applause they received from fans of the armed forces. The chants during the pre-match ceremony and after the national anthem performed by the Fusiliers Mont-Royal Infantry Reserve unit for the occasion were a reminder that the sacrifices made by those who serve and have served do not go unnoticed.

“I think the military is sometimes perceived as a mystical creature that people don’t fully understand,” Seguin admitted. “But we are a representation of Canadian society, and what makes us more approachable and relatable to the Canadian public is connecting us through sport (hockey or otherwise).”

“Our troops are fans of sports and Canadians (…) and there are similarities between hockey, professional sports and the military. What do professional athletes do when they get injured in their post-career lives? “This same question applies to military personnel, and I think the NHL has done a good job highlighting the armed forces.”

Thanks to the Soldier On program and similar events with Canadians, members can step out of their comfort zones and share their experiences. And while NHL teams can provide the visibility needed to help spread the word, the biggest spokespeople are the members themselves.

“The hardest part is signing up, taking that first step,” Hardy said. “Sometimes you just need to pat yourself on the back and tell yourself ‘come on, you can do this.’ “And then you meet some great people and reconnect with some of the people you saw in other places, in other provinces or while you were on assignment, and it’s great.”

It is in this spirit of paying it forward that participants are selected. The aim of the program is to reach as many members as possible and encourage others to sign up by showing that a healthy lifestyle is possible.

To learn more about the Soldier On program, donate or sign up, visit: askeron.ca.

This Remembrance Day, Canadians thank all those who served and continue to serve today. Let’s not forget.