WHL and Heroic Minds Join Forces to Innovate Player and Staff Well-Being
Published on October 3, 2025 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today a new partnership with Heroic Minds, a ground-breaking platform for athletes seeking to maximize their mental performance designed by Ontario Hockey League alumnus Ben Fanelli.
Fanelli, who played for the Kitchener Rangers from 2009-14 and served as the team's captain after overcoming a brain injury suffered during a game that nearly took his life, invested years of thought and education into the Heroic Minds program, one that delivers education through a mobile app.
"Heroic Minds offers athletes a private and secure place to find the right support for them," Fanelli said. "From engaging education to initial private messages, to secure video call, athletes know where to go. This resource offers support for anxiety, depression, relationships, concussion, addiction, career transition, and more.
"Our mission at Heroic Minds is to reinvent the self-help process in a bold and innovative way."
Player and staff access to the Heroic Minds curriculum is launching across both the OHL and the WHL this season.
"During my time with the Kitchener Rangers, I had access to support when I needed it," Fanelli said. "We want to ensure all current players and staff have support when they need it.
"Discussions with WHL Commissioner Dan Near and Stacey Meyer, WHL Manager of Education Services, have strong player-first perspectives and an openness to innovate. Our plan is to keep communication open with all staff and players to continue improving this resource."
The Heroic Minds program is powered by WINMAR, and is the latest in a series of inroads being made by Fanelli and his team in the mental performance space.
"We are growing into many minor and major sporting leagues," Fanelli said. "I wouldn't call it a culture shift; I would call it keeping up with the times and improving how we empower fellow human beings."
Check out the Heroic Minds platform by visiting heroicminds.live or visiting the App Store on iOS or Google Play on Android.
If you are a health professional or certified coach interested in being a part of Heroic Minds, you can join the Heroic Minds community here: https://www.heroicminds.live/certified-creators.
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