Author and NHL Superstar Visit North Strabane Intermediate School

It was a phenomenal day at North Strabane Intermediate School recently as author Sigmund Brouwer and National Hockey League Hall of Fame superstar Bryan Trottier spent the day sharing stories and signing autographs.  

Trottier, a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre, played 18 seasons in the NHL for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Brouwer began the day at an assembly where he shared stories about what inspires him to write his books. Organizers said it was an interactive and motivational message that the students loved. 

"The giggles were in abundance as the students danced, sang, played the air guitar, and walked away with the message that we all need to have a dream and work hard to achieve it," school officials said.

After an introduction by his son Christian, Trottier shared a video biography of his life as an NHL player. He then spoke about the importance of being a good teammate, and about how the people in your life will support you as you strive to achieve your dreams. 

He encouraged the students to focus on a dream and give their all to achieving it. He also reminded students that a solid education must support this endeavor.

The afternoon concluded with a personal visit by Trottier to every classroom at NSIS where the students and staff were treated to autographs, pictures, and words of inspiration. 

Every student was given a puck and an autographed sports card. Also, distributed to the fifth-grade students was the novel, Legend Pursuit, which was written by Brouwer and features Trottier as the guest coach.