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South Carolina Stingrays forward Scott Tanski raises money for mental illness

Post & Courier - 5/31/2017

Over seven professional seasons with four different teams in two separate hockey leagues, Scott Tanski has built a reputation as a rugged, grinding skater.

With his fiery red hair, Tanksi brings a gladiator’s mentality every time he steps onto the ice for the South Carolina Stingrays.

Off the ice, the native of Athabasca, Alberta, Canada, wants to be just as much of a difference maker for his community.

It’s a major reason why he started the “Tanski Talks” initiative in support of mental health awareness. The organization, which raises money for Charleston area mental health groups, has a simple motto: Open minds, eyes and doors for youth through communication.

In April, Tanski raised more than $5,500 for the cause, selling Tanski Talks shirts during the Stingrays' game against the Atlanta Gladiators.

The issue of mental health among youth is a cause that Tanski was first exposed to several years ago during the off-season in Ottawa when he became friends with former NHL star Luke Richardson.

Richardson, a 20-year veteran of the NHL, lost his daughter, Daron, to mental illness. After Daron took her own life at the age of 14, the family came together to start the organization DIFD (Do It for Daron).

“They are a fantastic family, and they opened up their hearts to me and that really inspired me to try and make a difference in the various communities that I have played in,” Tanski said.

“Mental illness is a subject that a lot of people, especially kids, are afraid to talk about," he added. "I wanted to be able to help make it easier for everyone to talk about it because it’s such a huge issue in our society today.”

Tanski, who played four season with the Orlando Solar Bears, began the Tanski Talks foundation during his first season in the ECHL. The Solar Bears' organization helped Tanski put on a mental health awareness night.

“We came up with the name Tanski Talks,” Tanski said. “We raised over $17,000 in my first year for the Central Florida Mental Health Association, which was fantastic. Everyone in the organization really got behind it and helped me out.”

When he signed with Reading (Pennsylvania) last season, he raised more than $5,000 and also visited mental health organizations. Initially he planned on giving the money he raised back to the original organization, DIFD, but Daron’s mother, Stephanie Richardson, insisted that the proceeds be given back locally wherever he was playing.

“I think that shows you the kind of commitment that the Richardson family has to this cause,” Tanski said.

Tanski wears a bracelet that reads "Do It For Daron" to remind him every day that people are suffering from mental illness.

“Mental illness does not know skin color, gender or age,” Tanski said. “The people who struggle with it fight a constant battle, one which should never be fought alone.”

The Stingrays' version of the Tanski Talks shirts quickly sold out and the money raised went to The National Alliance for Mental Health and Mental Health Heroes (Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center).

The Stingrays defeated the Gladiators, 3-2, that night, and Tanski recorded a goal. After the game was over, he held a private autograph party.

“It was a great night for a great cause,” Tanski said. “We won the game, I scored and I met a lot of great people who care about this issue.”