The Guelph Storm are proud to bring our Champions for Education program to over 30 local elementary schools in Guelph and the surrounding area every season. The program features two elements, Read to Succeed and, new for the 2026/2027 season, Memorial Cup History presentations, appealing to kids of all ages.
Champions for Education gives Storm players the opportunity to excel as strong role models in the community, while preparing students for success in life with important principles and age-specific activities that reinforce the importance of education.
Four players typically attend local schools for the program, with two engaging students with our Memorial Cup History presentation and two players participating in the Read to Succeed portion, sharing a fun, hockey-themed book and its lessons with primary grades.
Memorial Cup History
New this season, the Storm have created a Memorial Cup History presentation as the team has the honour of being the host city for the 2027 Memorial Cup. Drawing on the Canadian Hockey League, Guelph Storm, and the city of Guelph’s history to deliver an informative presentation to local students to celebrate this rare and exciting opportunity.
Read to Succeed
The “Read to Succeed” program sees Storm players visit local elementary school classrooms to read with primary students, encouraging the importance of literacy and reading at an early age.
Focusing specifically on students aged four to eight, Storm players sit down with young students and read from books provided by the Guelph Storm. Through reading hockey-themed books that hold moral lessons, such as the “Brady Brady” series, players deliver positive messages, including anti-bullying, being kind, and more, all while helping students to develop reading, creative writing, and comprehension skills.
As role models in the community in many ways, Storm players understand and recognize they have the unique opportunity and responsibility to share the importance of education and literacy, especially with young students. This responsibility is something that all Storm players accept and utilize with great respect and pride. With programs such as “Read to Succeed,” Storm players are able to proudly give back to the community of Guelph.
If you’re interested in hosting Champions for Education at your school, or have any questions about the program, please contact Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator, Lisa Della Mattia, [email protected]. Please note that schools that participate in our Ahtn em Program are offered Champions for Education at their school.