Blues Defenseman Colton Parayko quickly became a fan favorite after joining the team in 2015, due in part to his extensive work with various charities and community initiatives. Colton was raised to always “Treat others as you would want to be treated”, so his love of helping others started at a young age. In this article, we look at the work he has done in the community.
One story his Dad tells is that when Colton was a kid, some older boys were bullying his brother Bryce, and when their Dad looked out the front door he saw Colton strolling down the driveway, taking off his jean jacket, ready to defend his brother. This was early on a long before he was ever an NHLer.
A few years later, while he was in college at the University of Alaska- Fairbanks, he participated in a video presented by the Golden Heart Community Foundation and the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation. The idea was to help raise awareness about learning CPR. You can watch the video here:
Since reaching the NHL, his protecting others and giving back hasn’t stopped. It’s only expanded. Colton has done numerous charity and community events. Below are just are few of the events he has participated in or hosted:
Parayko Hockey Camp
Starting in 2018, Parayko has returned to Fairbanks each summer to host a four day long camp for youth hockey players from ages 8-15. The camp benefits the University of Alaska – Fairbanks Nanooks Hockey program. He notes that one of the reasons he created the camp was that Alaska meant a lot to him. He said:
“Spending Three years in Alaska and attending UAF was a huge part of my success throughout my hockey career. This is the perfect chance to give back to the Fairbanks hockey community.”
He also awards $1000 scholarships to student athletes who are members of the Nanooks varsity hockey team as part of the camp.
On July 19th 2019 he was presented a proclamation by Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Bryce Ward recognizing his community outreach.
Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis.
Colton volunteers in his spare time at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis, MO. He spends his time volunteering by playing games with the guests and their families and by helping to prepare meals.
Last November, when the Mcgift Shoppe, an area in the hospital where families can shop for Christmas without having to leave the hospital opened, He was there to meet the families and help them shop. He really enjoys volunteering says in this quote from the article entitled, “Blues player Colton Parayko helping families in need this holiday season,”:
“I enjoy not only being a part of the Ronald McDonald House but spending time with the kids and their families, I just saw one of the families I’ve been with. We were just kind of talking how long we’ve known each other. Worth my time.”
He was also named as honorary co-chair of the 2020 Home away from home appeal, an annual giving program to support the yearly operation of the foundation.
School Visits
Colton has done several school visits during his time with the Blues through the NHL Future goals – hockey scholar program, to name a few he has visited; Bridger Middle School in Independence, Missouri, Faxon Elementary School in Kansas City, MO, and Ritenour middle school in St. Louis, he says visiting schools is one of his favorite things to do because he always enjoyed when an NHL player would visit his school.
Other Charity Work
He also donates hockey equipment to Sport Central, which provides gear to underprivileged youth in the Edmonton, Alberta area.
With the things listed above, along with his friendship with Laila Anderson, you can see that besides being a great defenseman, he is also a great person.
More must-reads: