Gabe Gives Back

Winnipeg Jets forward’s community work earns him nomination for King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Whenever he has a day off, Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi always tries to give back to the fans and community. It’s something that has been instilled in him since he was young.

“We were always told that there’s always someone who has less then you and someone that has more than you,” said Vilardi when reflecting on how his parents influenced his philanthropic approach. “It’s important to give back and help, not just as athletes, but whoever you are, you should spend time doing something that matters to you to help others.”

His commitment to volunteering and working with Manitoba youth earned him this season’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy nomination for the Jets. The award is presented to “the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” The nominee with the most votes by the selection committee will receive a $25,000 donation for a charity or charities of his choice and his Club will receive a grant from the NHL to help organize a special activation related to his cause.

“I’m honoured to get nominated for that,” said Vilardi. “I think us as a team and an organization do a great job. It’s more credit to the Jets because they make it so easy for us.”

Vilardi has become involved in the community through the True North Youth Foundation (TNYF), which is the charitable arm of the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose and True North Sports + Entertainment. The TNYF has three core programs – the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy (WJHA), Project 11 and Camp Manitou.

“Gabe has made a genuine and lasting impact through his authenticity and willingness to connect with students in a real way,” said Suzi Friesen, director of educational programs for the TNYF. “Students see him not just as an NHL player, but as someone who is relatable, thoughtful and genuinely invested in their well-being.”

When Vilardi has a day off between road trips and games, he often reaches out to Friesen to see how he can help. During the 2025-26 season, Vilardi made several visits to classrooms to discuss mental health and wellness with students and spoke on a panel at the Project 11 Youth Summit in front of 900 early years students from across Manitoba. Project 11 provides mental health-focused curriculum for classrooms to increase students’ awareness of mental wellness and to teach skills and coping strategies, annually hosting summits to bring together students from across Manitoba to discuss mental health.

“When an NHL player like Gabe speaks openly about mental wellness, it helps shift the conversation in a powerful way. For many young people, especially athletes, there can still be a belief that strength means pushing through or staying silent,” said Friesen. “Seeing someone they look up to model openness and self-awareness challenges that idea. It helps students understand that taking care of your mental wellness is a part of performing at your best, not separate from it.”

Vilardi was also a coach and mentor for the WJHA U11 boys team this season. The WJHA uses hockey to engage youth from socially and economically challenged schools across Winnipeg, with the goal of increasing school attendance and graduation rates.

“Gabe is amazing with the kids and naturally finds the right balance between teaching them some valuable pointers about hockey and having fun. His genuine care for the WJHA kids is clear to see and anytime he drops by the kids have an amazing day,” said Murray Cobb, director of the WJHA. “It’s great for the WJHA kids to see a Jets player take so much enjoyment out of the game of hockey and just having fun with your teammates.”

Along with coaching practices and games, Vilardi also hosted his WJHA team at a Jets game this season. He finds giving back and spending time with his players personally rewarding.

“A lot of times I’ll leave different events and people are thanking me and saying how big a deal it is, and I’m like, there’s no need to thank me at all because honestly it’s fun work, especially when you’re with kids and you know you’ve made a difference in their day,” said Vilardi. “I know I’m not a kid obviously, but I feel like a kid in a lot of ways, so for me to spend time on the ice with them is even more easy and fun.”

Vilardi has done a lot of volunteer work for Project 11 and the WJHA alongside his girlfriend Megan, who has volunteered with the WJHA for the past few years and worked with the Toba Centre, which the Winnipeg Jets raise awareness and support for during Child Advocacy Month and at their annual Child Advocacy Night game.

“She’s done a great job since we moved here, and she takes pride and has fun just as much as I do going and working with the kids,” said Vilardi.

Vilardi understands the unique connection between the Jets, their fans and the community and is excited to continue to work with Manitoba youth next season.

“Here, the community is so important and it’s important to give back when you can,” said Vilardi. “It’s something that I’m proud of and that I’m going to keep doing as long as I’m here.”

originally published in Game On Magazine