Bob Wilkie (left) will speak to Kamloops athletes and parents on Jan. 22 at TRU.

By Chad Klassen

I GOT MIND

Former NHLer Wilkie to speak with Kamloops athletes about mental illness

Jan 14, 2020 | 5:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — Former NHL player Bob Wilkie will be making an appearance at Thompson Rivers University next Wednesday to speak with athletes and coaches in Kamloops about mental health.

Wilkie is bringing his I Got Mind tour to Kamloops in the hopes of sharing his experience dealing with mental health issues and helping other athletes cope if they’re struggling.

The two-hour presentation goes into his journey as a hockey player and how he became mentally ill and struggled with anxiety and depression.

“It is a powerful event for the sporting community to attend,” said Wilkie in a release. “Growing up in sport and working with organizations, athletes, parents and coaches we have seen mental illness issues growing within the sport.”

Shawn O’Grady, the mental health clinician for the I Got Mind team, will also be speaking at TRU. He will share the science of the brain and how it impacted Wilkie’s journey with mental illness.

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Wilkie played under Graham James in Swift Current for two seasons, winning the Memorial Cup in 1989 with Sheldon Kennedy and Kamloops resident Peter Soberlak. He’s started to work with the Blazers.

“Bob has been working with our group since Shaun [Clouston] came on as coach. They worked together in Medicine Hat. The information has assisted our players and staff in a very positive way that is a part of our success,” said Blazers GM Matt Bardsley.

The presentation goes from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Jan. 22. at The British Columbia Centre. Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster. General admission is $40.

For more information on the I Got Mind tour, you can visit the website here.