I’ve said many times before that an empty hockey arena, especially on a game day before the fans start filing in, is one of my favourite places to be. But even on non-game days, there’s something special about being at the rink. Today, at The Aud, it was even more special.

You can be a fan of any of the 19 other teams in the Ontario Hockey League but, just as a human being, you had to feel inspired by what went on at the home of the Kitchener Rangers. Ben Fanelli, who just celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday, sat at a table and led a media conference to announce his new program called Head Strong. The program will provide awareness about brain injuries and raise funds for a number of brain injury associations. A major part of the program will be a triathlon that Fanelli will compete in this summer as a fundraiser.

With his good friends and teammates Ryan Murphy and Gabriel Landeskog at his side, Fanelli explained his reasons for launching the program and then fielded questions like a pro. In a nutshell, Fanelli feels as though he’s had a second chance at life. And he wants to do what he can to ensure others have that same chance.

There were so many neat moments during the day. Like when Fanelli admitted to not always following doctor’s orders and training a little harder anyway, because he feels well enough to do so. Or when he talked about how his mom continually checks in to see if he’s enjoying cycling (as he trains for the triathlon) in hopes he’ll follow in the somewhat less dangerous steps of Lance Armstrong as opposed to those of Bobby Orr (same number, ya know).

The Rangers staff were all on hand for support and encouragement and some of the other players, including relative newcomer Mike Hasson, popped their heads in. Cody Sol and Mike Morrison wandered by, too. But the day belonged to Ben and he handled it like a pro. While he still hopes to return to hockey, I think I speak for everybody when I say we’re just happy that his quality of life is what it is. Fanelli continues to do well in school and plans to start university next year, with an eye to a business degree. Just in case professional hockey doesn’t work out.

For now, he’s focussed on triathlon training and Murphy and Landeskog are there to help along the way. Fanelli will swim, bike and run his way through Milton on Sunday, June 5th. You might want to mark your calendars. In the meantime, if you’re still wondering how he’s doing and how he’s feeling, just wait for the new episode of RangersVision. We got some great footage with Ben today.

As a brief aside, you’ll notice that every mention of Fanelli’s teammate-coaches on this effort went Murphy first, Landeskog second. That was by design. Murphy, obviously feeling more like himself after taking a pretty good lick last weekend in Kingston, was feeling a little slighted that he didn’t get any questions during the news conference. He’s never short on words, that’s for sure. Unfailingly polite, Landeskog suggested I make it up to him. We’ll work on a new RangersVision special just for you, Murph.

Just another day at the office. All in good fun.

See you at the rink.