People are starting to come to grips with the ripple effects of child abuse and just how severely it impacts thousands of youth in the Calgary area into their adult lives, believes advocate Sheldon Kennedy.

In town for the annual St. Timothy High School's benefit hockey game in support of the Child Advocacy Centre that bears his name, Kennedy says great strides continue to be made.

"What I have seen is these issues weren't talked about and that's not the case today. We've done over 7,000 child abuse investigations in just under five years and that's significant. Those are severe cases in Calgary and surrounding area and those kids are in our schools, those kids are on our hockey teams, those kids are in our community and they're good kids and they've been impacted heavily."

Kennedy says it has been found over 70 per cent of mental health issues stem from adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse and severe neglect.

"We have started painting the picture and making visible the invisible of the real impact of this stuff so that kids aren't just written off as being a drunk or as being a bad kid or this and that. A lot of time there are underlining issues and we're trying to get kids to look at that and try to shift the question from what's wrong with you to what happened to you."

He continues to lace up for the annual benefit game orchestrated by St. Tim's in one of the few times he plays these days and praises the attention and funds they raise.

"It's the first time I've skated all year, so I look forward to it," says the former NHLer and Memorial Cup winner, "It's a real testament to St. Tim's, the school and the students. They know the issues that we represent. They're difficult issues, they're real issues and they keep supporting it. That's what we need, we need kids supporting other kids and we need people standing up for a lot of kids that don't have that voice."

"It's just an honour for me to be here and be a part of it."

There was a solid crowd at the benefit game, Dec. 21, that saw the school's hockey academy students take on a teachers team, reinforced by NHL Alumni Kennedy and Colin Forbes as well as local MP Blake Richards. It was a playful game in which the teachers notched a few more points. But, of course, the real winner was the attention it brings to the issue and the funds it raises to help the advocacy centre continue it works. The raffle table was kept busy and the silent auction began for some impressive hockey memorabilia.

Organizer Kevin MacLellan, who leads the school's Hockey Canada Skills Academy, says the cause is taken to heart and it's the fourth year the benefit game has supported the centre.

The stands are filled with students, staff and community members.

"Even graduates of former years are coming to support the event. Word travels and it's spreading."

"It's scary how many kids are attending the centre to get help and if we can do a little bit or a lot for it I think it's great. It's pretty powerful to see how many people are at the rink and showing their support. It goes beyond just the game, it impacts the whole community."

The fundraising drive is far from over. Winners of the raffles will be announced after the school's Christmas break and the silent auction continues for autographed hockey keepsakes that include a team signed jersey from the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Flames' Doug Hamilton. MacLellan is also thrilled with how many local businesses show their support by providing prizes for the raffle.

St. Tim's is also holding a ball hockey tournament in the spring and fundraising will wrap up in June.  

MacLellan says some students have visited the SKCAC to meet workers and see what goes on their on a regular basis to get a better understanding of where the money goes.