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Minnetonka Today
By the People, for the People
Flyers Defenseman Seeler Gives Back by Blocking Shots for DinoMights
NHL player's family has deep ties to Minnesota youth hockey program focused on underserved communities.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:00am
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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler is giving back to his home state of Minnesota by volunteering with the DinoMights, a youth hockey program that provides equipment, coaching, and mentorship to underserved communities in the Twin Cities area. Seeler's father and sister have also been involved with the organization, which operates an outdoor seasonal ice rink and aims to build long-term relationships to create meaningful community impact.
Why it matters
The DinoMights program is making hockey more accessible to youth from diverse backgrounds, using the sport as a way to foster personal development, mentorship, and community engagement. Seeler's involvement helps raise awareness and support for the organization's mission, which aligns with the NHL's broader efforts to grow the game and make it more inclusive.
The details
Seeler, who grew up playing hockey in Minnesota, was drawn to the DinoMights because of the program's focus on the 'spiritual part' and its use of hockey to give back to underserved communities. The organization not only provides equipment and ice time, but also builds long-term relationships between participants, coaches, and mentors. Seeler's father, Dan, has been on the DinoMights' board since 2020, and his sister, Kelly Buchta, held an equipment drive for the program in 2008 when she was playing for the University of Minnesota women's hockey team.
- Seeler's father, Dan Seeler, has been on the DinoMights' board since 2020.
- In 2008, Seeler's sister, Kelly Buchta, held an equipment drive for the DinoMights program while playing for the University of Minnesota women's hockey team.
- In January 2026, Minnesota Wild forward Bobby Brink and the NHL Players' Association's Goals & Dreams fund donated 20 complete sets of hockey equipment to the DinoMights program.
The players
Nick Seeler
A defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers who is volunteering with the DinoMights youth hockey program in his home state of Minnesota.
Dan Seeler
Nick Seeler's father, who has been on the DinoMights' board since 2020.
Kelly Buchta
Nick Seeler's older sister, who held an equipment drive for the DinoMights program in 2008 while playing for the University of Minnesota women's hockey team.
Bobby Brink
A forward for the Minnesota Wild who donated 20 complete sets of hockey equipment to the DinoMights program in January 2026.
NHL Players' Association
The organization that, through its Goals & Dreams fund, donated the 20 complete sets of hockey equipment to the DinoMights program in January 2026.
What they’re saying
“The foundation of our mission is long-term relationships. How does that spiral out into meaningful community impact? The community we build is really strong. We're building a network of neighbors that for so many really does end up being for life, whether they stay friends with the kids that they played with or they stay in touch with the mentors they had who were their coaches and tutors.”
— DinoMights representative
“I was drawn to it because of the spiritual part of their program. That's a big part of my life, and my family's life is our faith as Christians. And just being able to give back to underserved communities using hockey, which is obviously such a big part of my life, it all just felt right.”
— Nick Seeler, Flyers Defenseman
“When I spent time volunteering with DinoMights as a teenager, it left a real mark on me. I saw firsthand the impact they had, from helping kids get on the ice, supporting families who needed it, and just creating a place where hockey could be for everyone.”
— Bobby Brink, Minnesota Wild Forward
The takeaway
The DinoMights program is a powerful example of how hockey can be used as a tool for community building, personal development, and making the sport more accessible to underserved youth. Seeler's involvement, along with the support of other NHL players and the league's broader initiatives, highlights the positive impact that professional athletes can have by giving back to their local communities.
