Boston Bruins defenseman Jordan Harris has announced the launch of “Harris’ Huskies,” a new initiative partnering with Northeastern University to mentor local youth hockey players. The program targets children from SCORE Boston, supported by a grant from the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition. It aims to provide equipment, game visits, campus tours, and clinics to foster growth in the sport.
Boston Bruins defenseman Jordan Harris announced the launch of “Harris’ Huskies” on a recent day, creating a mentorship program that links youth hockey players from SCORE Boston with role models from the Northeastern University Hockey Team. SCORE Boston, a nonprofit affiliate of the NHL’s “Hockey is For Everyone” initiative and a longtime Bruins community partner, focuses on supporting children who might otherwise lack access to hockey.
Planned activities include equipment donations for new players, visits to Northeastern games, tours of the university’s main campus, and clinics hosted by Harris and his fiancée, Codie Cross, throughout the season. Harris, a Haverhill, Massachusetts native, graduated from Northeastern in 2022 after serving as captain in his senior year. He gained prominence in 2020 by scoring in double overtime during the Beanpot tournament, helping Northeastern secure a third straight win over Boston University. Cross played for Northeastern’s women’s team from 2016 to 2020.
“When we open pathways for kids to play hockey, we can use the game as a platform to inspire the next generation,” Harris said. “I’m honored to have fellow Northeastern players join me in activations that help more kids find their place in this sport.”
Northeastern’s head men’s hockey coach, Jerry Keefe, praised Harris’s leadership: “From the moment Jordan entered our locker room, he embodied the type of leadership traits that made everyone around him better, including me as a coach. Our players look forward to working with him on an initiative that blends on-ice skill development with life lessons that resonate beyond the game.”
The Bruins will enhance the program by hosting SCORE Boston youth at their February 26 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bob Sweeney, president of the Boston Bruins Foundation, noted: “The Bruins have a long and proud legacy of giving back, with a strong belief in collaborations that lead to the betterment of our community. Jordan’s efforts add a meaningful element to our ongoing relationship with SCORE Boston.”
Wendell Taylor, president of SCORE Boston, highlighted the program’s impact: “Many of the children in our program will be able to see themselves in Jordan – a local kid who achieved his dreams in hockey, and an example of diverse representation in the sport. This is a game-changing partnership for the youth we serve, and we are profoundly grateful to Jordan, Northeastern, and the Bruins.”
Funding comes from the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition Action Fund, established in 2023 with support from the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund. Harris, a member of the NHL PIC, joins efforts to advance inclusion in hockey through community events and grassroots programs.
