1616 is the flagship initiative of Ladd Foundation, a Canadian and U.S. registered nonprofit, founded by 2-time Stanley Cup champion Andrew Ladd and his wife, Brandy. 1616 is a FREE program designed to strengthen the mental game of young hockey players, both on and off the ice, with real stories from pro players and practical tools that build Connection, Confidence, and Character - for Players, their Hockey Parents, and Coaches. 

1616 is about giving youth the mindset to face whatever storm’s ahead, together, because strong minds make better athletes, and even better humans.

Origin Story
After years in the NHL, Andrew Ladd thought he knew what it took to succeed—hard work, grinding through setbacks, and pushing forward no matter the obstacles. But after two major knee surgeries, he found himself struggling. Sent down to the minors, Andrew realized that simply working harder wasn’t enough anymore.

Determined to turn things around, he began working with a mental performance coach. It was a game-changer. He started developing skills like resilience, self-awareness, and managing pressure, tools that transformed his approach to the game. And yet, he realized these were the very skills he’d never been taught as a young player.

Andrew and Brandy Ladd created the Ladd Foundation & 1616 to change the game. Backed by research, the program puts mental fitness at the centre of youth hockey.

Impact
* In just 3 seasons, participation has grown from 11 to 438 teams across North America, all delivered for free. 
* Today, 94.1% of parents report seeing personal growth in their players through the program, while 100% of coaches say they would recommend it to others.

1616 is focused on increasing its impact by ensuring the program remains free and accessible, expanding across North America, and continuously updating with new content from NHL players, relevant to today’s youth athletes.

1616 by Ladd Foundation

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