Boston Bruins
“I think it’s important for kids to see players that maybe look like them or have similar backgrounds.”
Jordan Harris is playing his first season with his hometown Bruins. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe
Hockey has given Jordan Harris plenty over the years.
The Haverhill native has heard his name called at an NHL Draft (71st overall, 2018), won two Beanpots at Northeastern, and has played in 169 games in the NHL — including this season with his hometown Bruins.
But, the 25-year-old defenseman also remembers the early-morning practices, the hand-me-down hockey gear, and the sacrifices that his parents and others made for him to realize his hockey dreams.
As much as hockey has opened doors for Harris, it isn’t nearly as accessible as other sports — regardless of how much passion resides in those who want to take to the ice.
It’s for that reason that Harris welcomed the opportunity to help host a clinic at Warrior Ice Arena on Saturday as part of his Harris’ Huskies program, held in partnership with SCORE Boston.
“It’s different being on this side of it. When I was young, I was around professional hockey players, and it was the coolest thing ever for me,” Harris acknowledged. “However I can help the kids whether they’re inspired, whether they even remember a day like this. Just to see the smiles on their faces and working on stuff out there.”
Bruins defenseman Jordan Harris is taking part in a hockey clinic today at Warrior with kids from SCORE Boston.
SCORE Boston is a nonprofit group focused on supporting youth who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in hockey. pic.twitter.com/bpuBFTg2mr
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 14, 2026
The opportunity to collaborate with SCORE Boston made plenty of sense for Harris and his new Harris’ Huskies outreach program.
SCORE Boston — now in its 30th year — is a Dorchester nonprofit focused on supporting children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to play hockey.
SCORE Boston provides equipment, transportation to rinks, practice time, clinics, and other resources.
SCORE Boston president Wendell Taylor has seen the program grow over the years — progressing from a once-a-week “Learn to Play” program into full-fledged hockey program with several clinics, professional coaches, and other avenues designed to grow the game of hockey.
The foundation received an additional lift in January 2025 with a grant provided by the NHL and National Hockey League Players’ Association Industry Growth Fund (IGF), with additional financial support offered by the Boston Bruins Foundation and Rapid7.
“The opportunity to provide the kids with everything they need to get on the ice takes away the main barrier from hockey, which is number one — equipment and ice time — and number two, enough hours to get on the ice to learn to play,” Taylor said. “So the fact that the Bruins, the NHL, Rapid7 and others have given us the resources to provide this, free of charge, is fantastic.”
For Harris — who also serves on the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition — preaching both accessibility and visibility within hockey stands as the best way to open up the sport to new fans and players.
“I think exactly what we’re doing here,” Harris said when asked what hockey needs to do to further grow the game. “If you look out here, there’s probably 30-35 kids and there’s at least 10 coaches. Like you don’t really see that, and that’s tough. You can’t do that every clinic, right, but there’s a lot of support. And kids need support.
“Like SCORE providing transportation for kids and ice time. … And I think for me, being here and my background, I think it’s important for kids to see players that maybe look like them or have similar backgrounds. … I think we’re on the right path. I think it obviously takes a while. There’s a lot of barriers, but I think exactly what we’re doing today — providing kids with those opportunities — is a great step.”
Harris was not alone on the ice for Saturday’s clinic as he worked with kids on several drills up and down the frozen sheet in Brighton. Along with multiple SCORE Boston coaches and staffers, three former Northeastern women’s hockey players — Molly Griffin, Katie Cipra, and Codie Cross, who is Harris’ fiancée — helped run drills.
Harris’ Huskies 💪
On Saturday afternoon, Jordan Harris kicked off his new youth hockey initiative, which aims to empower children from @scoreboshockey, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in hockey. pic.twitter.com/RXHCyLmnLa
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 15, 2026
The Boston Fleet — who Taylor praised as being an regular presence at SCORE Boston events — were also represented by defender Olivia Zafuto during Saturday’s clinic.
“I think just being able to see it,” Zafuto said of spurring hockey’s outreach. “If you can’t see it, you don’t know anything about it – you can’t be it. So allowing them to see it and be here and have fun, I think that’s the biggest thing… It’s always special to meet young girls who can dream of playing in our league someday. We’re really doing it for them. It’s a humbling moment and brings you a lot of gratitude.”
Harris is looking to keep growing both Harris’ Huskies’ and his work with SCORE Boston, including bringing kids in the local community to Bruins games for the final stretch of regular-season action.
Of course, the Bruins’ blueliner is also counting down the days until he can get back on the ice with his teammates.
He has been limited to just five games this season after fracturing his ankle weeks into the 2025-26 campaign, undergoing surgery that had him on a scooter for most of the last few months.
After a short stint in Providence on a conditioning loan, Harris was placed back on Boston’s active roster earlier this month just before the team’s extended Olympic break.
As Harris tries to do his part to continue to grow the game in overlooked communities in Massachusetts, helping his hometown team punch a ticket back to the playoffs would be a welcome sight for all parties.
“I’ve done too much watching this year,” Harris acknowledged. “But the team has been awesome. … Especially since the new year, it seems as though we’ve kicked in another gear. A lot of people didn’t have really high expectations, but it never really wavered within the locker room.
“Like, even since training camp — I’ve said this multiple times — and I feel like a lot of people say this, but it just seemed like a really tight group and well-gelled, and even with Marco [Sturm] coming in and [assistant coach Steve Spott] and as new coaches like, it just seems [we’ve] always kind of been in stride for the most part. … I feel lucky to be here, and just excited to hopefully play some hockey soon and continue it.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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