10/21/2026
To: Tim & Michelle Benton, NorsKids Foundation and the Minnesota Northern Lights
From: Tommy Stang, Former Thief River Falls Norskies Jr A player in Inaugural Sesaon 2016-2017
It makes me incredibly happy to see that this relationship is still going strong!
Almost 10 years ago, I was fortunate enough to be part of the Norskies’ inaugural season roster. During that time, Tim and Michelle Benton reached out to me about helping start a foundation and getting involved with an incredible group of people. I asked a few of my teammates to join me, and little did we know that what started as a simple opportunity to give back would turn into something we looked forward to every single week.
It became about so much more than Tuesday night bowling. Whether it was spending time together after games, talking with players, or simply walking around the rink, seeing the excitement on everyone’s faces made those moments incredibly special. What I quickly realized was that we weren’t just making a difference in their lives; they were making just as much of a difference in ours.
I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to play hockey in Thief River Falls and to have been part of such a wonderful foundation. When Tim and Michelle decided to name a community service award after me, I was truly humbled and honored. What many people may not have known was that I was going through a difficult time in my own life. The hockey community in TRF, the fans, the families, my teammates, and the staff became a source of light during some of those darker moments.
Even after my time with the Norskies came to an end, that connection never faded. I still remember members of the NorsKids Foundation making the trip to watch me play college hockey. Those are moments I will never forget.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to fully express how much that community, those relationships, and that chapter of my life meant to me and my family. To know that I was able to leave a positive impact on a community that gave me so much in return is something I will always carry with me.
One of the greatest things about hockey is its ability to bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. The game continues to grow and evolve, but the impact we can have on one another extends far beyond the ice.
Keep up the great work, gents! You never truly know what someone else may be going through or how much of a difference you can make in their life simply by showing up, being present, and caring about others.
