Brock McGillis, a former OHL and professional hockey player, is recognized as the first openly gay men’s professional hockey player and a leading advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in sports. His tireless work in shifting the conversation around inclusivity in hockey earned him a spot on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 most influential people in hockey for 2022.

100 Minor Hockey Teams in 100 Days

During the 2023-2024 season, Brock launched his Culture Shift Tour, traveling to meet with high school-aged hockey teams across Canada. He visited 100 teams in 100 days, creating meaningful discussions about the importance of inclusive language, behavior, and attitudes in hockey.

Brock’s message is simple yet powerful: through real-life experiences, he helps players recognize the impact of their words and actions and inspires them to become "shift makers" — players who foster a welcoming and inclusive environment in their locker rooms.

The first year of the tour was a tremendous success, as shown in the program’s Impact Report. Now rebranded as Shift Makers, the tour is set for an even bigger second year, with Brock visiting over 25 cities and speaking to more than 100 teams in 100 days.

Brock uses his own life as an example to humanize the experience of being different and shares stories of people who stood up to make positive changes in their teams and communities. He provides simple, actionable steps that anyone can take to help make hockey a more inclusive sport, ensuring everyone can be their authentic selves.

Thanks to program partners, there is no cost for booking Brock to speak with your team. Nova Scotia hockey associations interested in hosting Brock for a session are encouraged to reach out to Bayne Pettinger at bayne@apollo-athletics.com.

The only requirement for hosting Brock in Nova Scotia is to provide a meeting space, such as a boardroom, dressing room, or even an arena lobby.

Click here for more information about Brock McGillis' Culture Shift Tour.