How Penguins' Kindel gave young fan a sense of belonging in hockey
Eric Francis @EricFrancis
January 22, 2026 - 8:08am
CALGARY — Sidney Crosby gave her a puck.
Ben Kindel gave her a sense of belonging.
And that’s why 11‑year‑old Katherine Haskey stood at the glass in a Penguins jersey two days in a row, waiting for the 18-year-old Penguins rookie who has done so much to make her feel like she truly fits in this game.
Crosby’s gesture at Tuesday’s practice was appreciated, but not nearly as much as the tap on the glass Kindel gave her while she stood rinkside before Wednesday’s game at the Dome with a sign anointing her his No. 1 fan.
“Crosby is just ‘the puck guy’ to her,” laughed her mom, Tanis.
“She doesn’t care about any of the other guys, except that one guy.”
That guy is Kindel, the Hitmen alum whose meteoric rise to the NHL has been matched only by the depth of his bond with a young girl proud to call him a friend.
He sees her as a hockey player, not a diagnosis.
Katherine has Down syndrome, and it was four years ago that she first summoned the courage to join the Heros program, a volunteer-driven charity that gives kids with cognitive and physical challenges a chance to play the game, learn life skills and give them a community to call their own.
Sensory challenges make new things hard for her, so it took six weeks just to get her onto the ice when she started.
Now she’s the first one at the rink every week.
A big reason for that transformation is Kindel and his former Hitmen teammates, who’ve done wonders to make her feel seen, safe, and valued.
Kevin Hodgson, who runs the Heros program and billeted Kindel during his two seasons with the Hitmen, has watched the relationship evolve up close.
“Seventeen thousand people are there to see Sid, and she’s only there to see No. 81,” said Hodgson before Wednesday’s 4-1 Penguins win.
“He’ll tap the glass in warmup, like he always does, and she’s good the rest of the game.”
That tap is their ritual. Their signal. Their reminder that no matter how big the stage gets, some connections stay simple.
“She’s there for Ben,” added Hodgson. “He has her back, so this is how she has his.”
Kindel’s rise to the NHL hasn’t changed a thing about how he treats Katherine.
Twenty minutes after being drafted 11th overall last summer, the talented middleman met up with Hodgson and his wife and said, “I have to send Katherine a video.”
He did. And she watched it over and over.
Few in the hockey world, including Kindel, believed he could crack the Penguins’ opening night roster, which is why he showed up at camp with just one suit and enough clothes for a short camp.
With eight goals and 20 points, he sits top-10 amongst NHL rookies despite being the NHL’s youngest forward, and one of only three 2025 draft picks in the league.
No one has ranked higher in Katherine’s eyes, especially after the Christmas surprise she received.
“It took until early November until they started selling Kindel jerseys, and Ben called me and said he’d like to send one for Katherine for Christmas,” said Hodgson.
“It’s all Ben.”
Actually, two jerseys arrived: one for her wall, one to wear. Both No. 81.
On the back, he wrote: To Katherine; my favourite hockey player.
“It just showed up,” Tanis said, still shaking her head.
“You hear of these guys doing things like this, but you never think it will happen to your kid.”
Katherine wears No. 11 in her own games, honouring the number Kindel wore with the Hitmen. She’s already hoping to change it to 81 next season.
“She typically wears hearing protection, but she wanted them off for her picture with him because she felt safe with him,” said Hodgson
That’s not a small thing. That’s trust.
And it’s why Hodgson believes stories like this matter.
“There are enough stories about how players get it wrong,” he said.
“So we have to talk about it when they get it right.”
Kindel, he says, gets it right.
Every time.
“It makes Katherine and her family feel they belong,” Hodgson said. “He makes her feel like she’s valued and important, and when a family sees that, it strengthens them.”
Then he added the line that best captures the heart of this story:
“Ben doesn’t define her by her disability, he defines her as a hockey player.”
Kindel’s character isn’t limited to his relationship with Katherine.
“He came over for dinner last night and afterwards he did the dishes with me like he always did,” said Hodgson.
“Then he whipped my wife (Kristie) in cards, and chirped her like he always did. There’s no doubt he’ll wear a letter on that team, will probably be a captain, and will still be the same person 15 years from now. He sits next to Crosby in the locker room and picks up everything from him.”
Kindel, for his part, deflects every bit of praise.
“I can’t be more grateful for them,” he said of the Hodgsons. “They’re unbelievable people, just how selfless they are, not just with billeting me, but also in the community with their Heros program. It’s very special to have them as part of my life.”
He’s grateful he met Katherine through them.
“Katherine has been in my billet house’s life for a long time. My older billet brother, Sean (Tschigerl) was very good friends with her. Once he moved out, I kind of tried to take over, and she’s now part of my life as well.
The zoom call between Geno, Sergachov and Orlov. Tarasenko was supposed to be w/ them too, but he had an allergic reaction to something and isn’t feeling well right now (interviewer said that it’s nothing serious, just his skin is effected). At the beginning, the interviewer asked them the usual “where are you, how are you doing “ question and asked Geno to go 1st, bc he’s “the older guy” between the 3 of them. Geno went “wow, when have I become “the old one”?” and then proceeded to joke about+
Full translation below the cut
+ being old throughout the whole interview. About the training during quarantine: he can’t train too hard, bc there are no trainers w/ him and no one can give him professional massages when his muscles and old injuries hurt too much. He’s just trying to stay in shape. When do they think they’ll be allowed to come back to the rink? They’re waiting until May 1 and then they’ll be told if they’re coming back or the quarantine will be extended. How long do they think they’ll need to get back in +
+ shape? Geno said, he hasn’t skated in 1,5 months. He’ll need 2-3 weeks of training camp. “But I’m the old guy here! These two will need 2-3 days tops!” *everyone laughs* He says they’ll still need some games before playoffs, to gain some skills back: “You can’t just not skate for 2 months and then go straight to playoffs. We’ll need to get in shape for tough games.” Interviewer doesn’t get Geno’s jokes and ignores them, when Geno is chirping. The other guys laugh, but are pretty quiet. Best+
+Russian player in NHL? “Between the 3 of us?” *laughs* Sergachov starts saying something, Geno interrupts him “You can’t say Kucherov! *laughs* No Kucherov, no Ovechkin!” The interviewer then says that they can’t pick teammates. Sergachov picks Panarin, Malkin *Geno smiles* and Orlov. Geno also says Panarin. “Let’s imagine, the 3 of you and Tarasenko are playing for Russian national hockey team. Who would you want to be the 5th player with you? But you can’t pick Ovechkin.” Geno says, they +
+need someone who plays with right hand (bc the 4 of them are lefties) and picks Kovalchuk. Sergachov picks Kucherov and Geno yells: “Oh, come on! Pick Stamkos! He’s right-handed too! I can’t with you!” *everyone laugs* (god, I love him! He’s so funny and easy-going) Who’s the funniest Russian in NHL? Kovalchuk and Gusev. Sergachov is asked next and Geno immediately interrupts him and goes: “Zadorov! That’s his bff!” (Geno’s mercilessly chirping poor Sergachov throughout the entire interview.+
+Probably, just to bring some comic relief, bc he seems quite shy and reserved.) Who would you want to be quarantined with? Pick your teammate. “2 months with any of them is waaaaaay too long! We already spend 9 months of the year with them.” ”So you don’t miss any of them?” “Oh, I’m not even answering their msgs in the group chat. No, of course we’re talking on video calls.” If you had a chance to sit in the locker room between 2 hockey players, dead or alive, to talk to them and ask them any+
+questions, who would you choose? “Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic. I was their big fan when I was a kid. I had their jersey and caps.” The best thing you’ve experienced during the quarantine? “Finally got some sleep. I got some rest, got to spend time with my kid. We’re very close right now. I’m trying to put him on roller skates and later get him on ice.” What one crazy story about this quarantine you’re gonna be telling your kids and grandkids? “Not many exciting things happening to me right +
+now. But the situation itself is very scary and I hope it’ll never happen again.” Imagine this happening 30 years ago. What would you do w/ all your free time, w/o internet, phones and video calls, or social media. “Alcohol is our everything! No, I’d probably just go for many walks, read a lot, learn to cook better, etc.” All of you are playing in eastern conference. What part of each others game do you miss the least? Sergachov: “Malkin’s hockey IQ is over the top. He’s very intelligent.” +
+Geno goes “Oh, tell me more, tell me more! Don’t hold yourself back” “Oh, don’t worry, I’m not going to.” “Wait, I’ll take my earphones off *takes them off* Now you can go. You never tell me this when we’re playing in national team together! You would only say nice things to Kucherov!” Sergachov: “I didn’t want to stroke your ego too much. Now we’re all doing nothing, so you could use some confidence boost.” Geno says that both Sergachov and Orlov are very fast, very intelligent about their +
+ play, are offensive defensemen, but he still managed to put some goals past them couple of times. Sergachov: “I blocked couple of your pucks that one time!” “Oh, so what? You want me to tell you that you’re good at defending?” *Orlov cackles like crazy* How hard is current situation is for you psychologically? Can you compare it to any other experience in your life? “Only my knee injury. Psychologically, I’m fine. I’m with my family, with my son. I’m very happy. The hardest thing is not +
+for sure, when we’re coming back” Geno gave a big shout out to all the doctors and medical staff fighting the pandemic. Video games question. (Sergachov is playing Fortnite with Kucherov. Geno immediately went “Duh, obviously! What’s new here?”) Geno isn’t playing anything bc his computer and everything are in Pittsburgh. “Give us some message for fans.” “Let me go first, since I’m the old one here!” He wishes to stay healthy (the fans and their families). To stay at home, follow the +
+instructions the doctors give us. Everyone should take this pandemic very seriously and not just go out for picnics and stuff like that. That's all. There should be 12 parts of this ask. Let me know if something is missing :) - Gino anon
Seriously, thank you SO MUCH Gino anon! This is great!
ALL NWHL GAMES TO BE STREAMED ON TWITCH THIS SEASON
FREE
Go to link www.twitch.tv/nwhl at game time for access to stream
Compatible on all devices
Chat interaction with other fans and possibly NWHL figures / former players / etc
Pretty certain NWHL will also tweet out the link and have it available on their “watch” tab on their official website as well at game time, and I will always post the link at game time
IF YOU WANNA KNOW HOW TO WATCH WOMENS HOCKEY THIS IS IT!!
This remarkable letter of unknown provenance surfaced recently in the cuneiform collection of the University of West Wessex. Addressed to Azirapil from a Mr. “Crawly,” it appears to be begging for the other’s return to Ur from a western journey with another individual, Abiraham. The relationship between the two (brothers? business partners? friends?) is unknown, and all three names are quite unusual. The letter also mentions a Mr. Ea-naṣir in Ur; if this is the same Ea-naṣir as the merchant mentioned in UET V 22, 29, 71, and 81, then the original letter would be dated to the Larsa period, around 1800 BCE. However, this particular copy appears to be a scribal exercise; the writing is relatively unskilled, and the cuneiform is Neo-Assyrian in form. It is unclear whether the text is based on a historical letter, or if its unusual names and content were invented for scribal practice.
Text:
Tell Azirapil [1]:
Thus says “Crawly” [2]:
When will your time in the West be finished? Abiraham [3] seems very dirty, and I am weary [4] in Ur. [There is] a talented mirsu-maker [5] on Wide Street!
Watch out, for I have acquired a new friend. His name is Ea-Naṣir [6], and I may play wickedly with him if you do not return.
Hey, @the-rain-on-your-dandelions, has anyone told you that you’re a genius? That’s an incredible system. I wish I had a friend group that could function for!
My friend does something similar at work - there’s a “lunch club” where anyone is welcome to join (though for logistics, it’s easiest with around 5 people) and everyone rotates making lunch for everyone once a week. You get to try different food 4/5 days without needing to cook! Everyone saves money and eats healthier :)
“hana” means flower in Japanese, faucet in Finnish
“kana” is a word for the Japanese writing systems and also a girl’s name (I think?), means chicken in Finnish
“risu” means small twig in Finnish, squirrel in Japanese
“sora” means (among other things) sky in Japanese, gravel in Finnish
“kasa” means umbrella in Japanese, pile or heap in Finnish
“himo” means string in Japanese, lust in Finnish
“kutsu” means shoes in Japanese, invitation in Finnish
“aho” means clearing or glade in Finnish and is the last name of a former Prime Minister of Finland, idiot in Japanese
“Henna” is a not-entirely-uncommon Finnish female first name, means weird in Japanese
the two names above have been combined and cause hilarious results
and then of course my name is Minna which means nothing in Finnish and “everyone” in Japanese which has caused Japanese people to snicker at me in the past
One Finnish lady told me that her husband Teppo was on business trip in Japan and the hosts were all “well that’s a manly name” because it means “iron cannon”, i.e. an arquebus.
photos of a lavafall at iceland’s fimmvorduhals, east of glacier eyjafjallajokull, from an april 2010 eruption. (click pic or link for credit x, x, x, x, x, x)
favorite bits of the cast interviews in the LOTR special features:
Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood and Viggo Mortensen all taking the piss out of Orlando Bloom for going on about a cracked rib too much, while Orlando Bloom desperately tries to wriggle out of talking about it (special mention to Elijah Wood’s “oh it hurts, babes, and I can’t ride the horse, babes” and Viggo Mortensen’s “they can be very fragile, elves, especially the…Mirkwood strain…”)
Ian McKellen commenting that “they never did find any suitable underwear for Gandalf…”
Dominic Monaghan going on and on about how Viggo Mortensen apparently had a crush on one of the Rohirrim extras (who like a lot of the Rohirrim extras was a woman in a fake beard) while Vigoo Mortensen just mutters “one could perhaps say something about Mr. Monaghan’s…proclivities…”
Dominic Monaghan’s imitation of John Rhys-Davies ordering food at a restaurant for the whole cast. “You have partridge? BRING THE PARTRIDGE!”
John Rhys-Davies talking about an incident with the Lothlorian boats and saying “if an elf and a dwarf are in a boat…and…the boat goes under…let us say that the blame was not placed on the elf” while Orlando Bloom splutters “he’s a big guy, man!”
Elijah Wood talking about how the hobbit actors shared a trailer with Ian McKellen and sometimes they would hear inarticulate bellows of protest from his side when they played loud music in the mornings
Viggo Mortensen talking about how, while filming with those same boats, Kirin Shaw (Elijah Wood’s scale double) started telling him “if the boat tips over…save yourself…I can’t swim.”
Elijah Wood describing how Sean Astin would try to direct the helicopters to land while they were on location, while the other three hobbits were screwing around and throwing pinecones at each other
Christopher Lee recounting how he had so much trouble going up some steps in Orthanc with his long robe that he stopped in the middle of the scene and said, “I cannot get up these goddamn steps, Peter.”
Viggo Mortensen mentioning that he left a weekend rehearsal and went walking down the street still swinging his sword around, and promptly got the cops called on him
Okay but I can’t believe you left out Sean Astin telling the story of how Billy Boyd and Viggo Mortensen made out on set to make him feel less awkward about having to kiss Rosie at Sam’s wedding, and the camera cutting to Dom Monaghan fucking dying because apparently he hadn’t heard that story until the interviewer brought it up
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