Coyotes to host Yotes Talk Night for mental health awareness

Feb 4, 2019, 5:25 PM

(L-R) Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23), Jakob Chychrun (6), Derek Stepan (21) and Clayton Keller (9) of the Arizona Coyotes celebrate after Ekman-Larsson's goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Gila River Arena on March 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Arizona Coyotes)

(Photo by Norm Hall/Arizona Coyotes)

BY COLE BAILEY

Arizona Sports

Last Thursday, the Coyotes announced that they will be hosting “Yotes Talk” Night to promote mental health awareness during their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 7.

“Yotes Talk” is based on the NHL’s “Hockey Talks,” which is an initiative started by the league in order to encourage conversation among hockey fans about mental health as well as support different organizations that help those struggling with mental health issues.

The Coyotes also announced that they will be supporting the Do It for Daron (DIFD) initiative, which was launched by Montreal Canadiens Assistant Coach Luke Richardson and his wife, Stephanie, after their 14-year-old daughter Daron died by suicide in 2010. Daron was also the first cousin of Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

As part of “Yotes Talk” Night, the Coyotes coaching staff will wear DIFD ties during the game, and Chychrun and captains Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Derek Stepan will wear purple ties to the game. All of the Coyotes players will also wear DIFD stickers during the game.

The team also sent out a video message from Chychrun on Twitter, in which he told his family’s story and preached for those who need help to reach out to someone close to them.

For every retweet the post gets through Feb. 7, Chychrun will donate six cents to The New Foundation, which helps Arizona children that are struggling with mental health issues.

No matter what you are going through, we want you to know that you are never alone.

For every retweet of this video message @j_chychrun7 will donate 6 cents to The New Foundation (@TNFAZ) to help Arizona youth who are struggling with mental health issues. #YotesTalk #DIFD pic.twitter.com/0Eujj7eyz9

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) January 31, 2019

Fans can join in on the conversation during the game by using the hashtag #YotesTalk on social media.

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