HEROS, a volunteer-driven registered Canadian charity, uses hockey as a catalyst to attract youth to a program offering support for education, self-esteem building, and life skills training. HEROS' free programing has helped more than 7,000 boys and girls over the past 17 years, including 700 through the 20 programs in nine Canadian cities last year.
Dougie Hamilton, Curtis Lazar and Jay Bouwmeester are a few of the other NHLers involved with this growing program that offers kids a "team for life."
The four fundamental behaviours of HEROS include Listening, Respect, Discipline and Having Fun. That last point, having fun, is key for Baertschi, who understands the difficulties and pressures involved with fitting in. That's where hockey comes in.
"Coming from Switzerland, I know how hockey can make a person feel included and fit in. Sport is a great way to meet friends and what HEROS does is no different. It's great to see that each kid has their own unique story, but when they're all together, no matter what city it is across Canada, they are all equals, they are all empowered, they are all HEROS."
Now it's easy to understand why Baertschi's goal celebration is fairly calm - there's always another goal to be scored, and more money to be raised, for the kids.