“I spent a lot of years trying to figure out how to improve my life and how to live life again,” said Canadian Army veteran Krista House.

Over 1,000 peewee- and bantam-aged hockey players will spend the day with members of the military and the Calgary Flames and Hitmen to learn leadership skills.

The Canadian Legacy project announced Saturday they are changing their focus this year from collecting food to supporting programs that help veterans with employment, housing, mental health and PTSD service dogs.