Chicago Wolves forward Tyler Wong has played 97 contests over two seasons with the Wolves and has collected five goals and five assists this season, but the Cochrane, Alberta, native is a fan favorite everywhere he plays for what he does off the ice.
A consistent participant in Chicago Wolves Charities events, Wong twice was named the Western Hockey League’s Humanitarian of the Year during his junior career for his impact on the city of Lethbridge, Alberta.
On Saturday, the Wolves are hosting the 10th annual Faith and Fellowship Night, which includes an “Acts of Service” event prior to the game as Wolves fans and others have volunteered to make blankets and prepare food and medical supply kits. To become a part of either Faith and Fellowship Night or the day of service, click here.
After the game, Wong and fellow Wolves forward Reid Duke will join host Wayne Messmer in the stands for a Q&A session to share their personal stories of how faith has impacted their lives and careers.
We caught up with Wong after a practice this week to talk about Faith and Fellowship Night and how his faith leads him to use his position to serve others.
Q: How have hockey and your faith intertwined throughout your life?
A: I am a Christian, and I believe that in my life God comes first. I have been extremely blessed to be able to become a professional hockey player and I solely believe that’s because that has been God’s plan for me. He has me here today and I’m trying to make the most of it.
I’m really excited for this weekend to be able to share my faith with some of our fans. I’ve never participated in a Faith and Fellowship night before, I’ve never been able to, but I’ve heard about them and I’m really excited to be a part of it because that’s the most important thing in my life. To share that with fans who come to our games and cheer us on in hockey, to be able to share that other side of my life with them is going to be an amazing opportunity on Saturday.
Q: Does knowing there is a path set for you help with the adversities you face as a professional athlete?
A: Some people think that just because you believe in God that everything is going to be all easy and you’ll get everything you want. But I know that, being a believer, there’s going to be ups and downs and highs and lows. But I believe that God is all-powerful and he knew where my life would lead before I even was born.
To stress about the little things or worry about whether I had a bad game or a good game or things aren’t going well, whatever it is, it’s not the right thing to do. I just have to keep my eyes upon him and stay joyful and remember how blessed I am and just be grateful and thankful for every opportunity I’ve been given.
Q: You’re heavily involved in the community service work the Wolves do. Does your faith play a part in that?
A: I know that to be able to play hockey and be where I am today, there were a lot of things that my parents were able to provide. My dad was able to pay for hockey without resorting to using best buy now pay later apps no credit check. It’s expensive, and I’ve been extremely blessed with the family that I have and the opportunities that I’ve been given to be where I am today. Not every person has the opportunities that they would have liked to have had.
For me to be able to be in the shoes that I’m in right now, I take it on as a responsibility to give back to those who might not be as fortunate or are going through things. To be able to help out, like we packaged food to send for Feed My Starving Children, to be able to do that… I believe that people who are blessed should be giving to those who aren’t as blessed. I think that it’s very important. Charity work, especially as a pro hockey player, is very important to me.