Listeners of 97.5 The Fanatic know Todd Fedoruk as a feared enforcer over a nine-year NHL career and from his color commentary next to Tim Saunders on the station’s Philadelphia Flyers broadcasts.
However, they might not know about his tremendous initiative away from the arena.
Fedoruk has teamed up with Dan Hilferty Jr., the son of Comcast Spectacor CEO Dan Hilferty, in a peer support service in the local recovery community with Manifesto Health.
Manifesto Health
Manifesto is a support service that provides expertise in substance-use disorder and mental health. According to Hilferty Jr., co-founder and current CEO, the company’s goal is to provide long-term resources and enable future opportunities for participants in recovery.
“Once they go through their 30 days of treatment (or any other appropriate time frame), when they come back to the real world, when there’s not so much support available to them, through Manifesto they’ll have 24/7 access to a certified recovery specialist. That’s our goal – to provide long-term support for as long as they need, as often as they need, to keep people on their track in their recovery.” -Dan Hilferty Jr.
Manifesto grew from Hilferty’s own experience in substance-use recovery. He and the other members of the company’s current leadership group faced challenges in their 20s starting a new way of life after beginning the recovery process.
Some of them faced resume gaps, legal troubles, and similar circumstances impacted by their past challenges.
“A lot of us didn’t know what the heck we wanted to be when we grew up. We didn’t know what our careers were supposed to look like.” -Hilferty
Dan Hilferty Sr. was instrumental in the early days of Manifesto. He provided one-on-one mentorship to the first participants and mapped out career plans in what became a blueprint for Manifesto’s future.
Todd Fedoruk
Where does the Fridge come in? Fedoruk became a key advocate for “a drive, a mission, a goal that won’t be swayed” fueled by the passion of his own past experience in the recovery process.
He described the root of his contributions as a Business Development Associate for Manifesto.
“What I’ve found is that there’s a lane (made up of) guys that have the lived experience with substance use and mental health issues. There’s a lane that you can sit in, in the space of behavioral health… It’s in peer coaching. It’s in ‘How do I utilize the experience that I have to help a person get back to living normal?’ As normal as they could be coming out of treatment.” -Todd Fedoruk
Colin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia
Former Philadelphia Flyers Forward Todd Fedoruk at the 97.5 The Fanatic Studios
“This has kind of all happened through the Flyers family with Mr. Hilferty (Sr.) coming on board and then just meeting him and being introduced to Dan Hilferty Jr. who’s heading up Manifesto Health.” -Fedoruk
Fedoruk spoke with admirable authenticity about a career path that can be considered “signing up for a losing game.”
The statistical likelihood of relapse is a harsh reality that fuels Manifesto’s efforts.
“The chances for people reaching a year (of sobriety) are not high enough. That’s, I think, what also drives me. There’s work that you can do. It’s real work. It doesn’t come in the form of a degree. It comes in a human element. It’s about connection and teaching, and guiding, and showing other people how to reconnect with things that give them sustainable recovery.” -Fedoruk
Hilferty pointed out the statistical success of Manifesto in defying public health trends. Only 3% of participants in one of Manifesto’s major contracts with the regional carpenters’ union have checked back into treatment within one year of completing their initial rehabilitation. Comparatively, the number climbs to about 30% in the general public.
Flyers Warriors
One key connection to the Flyers family sparks noticeable passion from both Fedoruk and Hilferty.
The Flyers Warriors program provides a positive outlet for wounded, injured, and disabled veterans with adaptive sports therapy.
“It’s (peer coaching is) one thing that I think they’ve (Flyers Warriors have) entrusted us to do, and I know that we as a group at Manifesto, myself included, are extremely honored to be able to do that.” -Todd Fedoruk
Long-time Flyers defenseman Brad Marsh has spearheaded the effort for Flyers Alumni to organize hockey teams made up of disabled veterans. His NHL acumen has helped grow the program exponentially with a tight-knit community.
Hilferty pointed to the frequency of mental health and substance abuse issues within the military veteran community that’s created the need for Manifesto’s involvement.
“It’s a resource for those guys when crisis hits. They know that they can call trusting people that make sure they get everything that they need.” -Fedoruk
Both Hilferty and Fedoruk spoke with an elevated tone of humility and the utmost respect for Flyers Warriors with combat experience and other challenges involved with veteran assistance.
“To say it’s an honor to serve them is an understatement.” -Hilferty “I don’t feel small next to many men and women – but you stand next to these people – you understand how much we need to remember our freedoms and the things that these people do.” -Fedoruk
Flyers Warriors President Bill Duffy returns the favor with nothing but great things to say about teaming up with Hilferty and Fedoruk.
“When we decided to partner with Manifesto Health, it was only after we did our homework and ensured that we had the best care for not only our players but their family members as well. The struggles are real within the Veteran community and to provide another resource at their fingertips is huge. It’s also nice to keep such an important support system within the Flyers family.” -Bill Duffy
State of the Flyers
Fedoruk happily complimented the first long-term rebuild in Flyers history. He remembered “that little bit of luck” that helped Danny Briere cash in on the risk to draft Matvei Michkov with the seventh-overall pick.
He also described Travis Sanheim and Travis Konecny as long-term building blocks and complimented the new front office for already dealing with their fair share of disadvantages during the short tenure.
“They understand that this is a city that wants to win. You can’t pull any punches. You’ve got to be straight-up with them.” -Todd Fedoruk
“It’s going to become more attractive to be here for free agents, the guys that are on the upswing. That comes from the culture shift. That comes from the change that Danny (Briere), Jonesy (Keith Jones), and Dan Hilferty implemented from day one. Coach (John) Tortorella also followed suit.” -Fedoruk
Catch the Fridge alongside play-by-play announcer Tim Saunders on the flagship radio partner of the Flyers.
Colin Newby is a contributor for 97.5 The Fanatic who transitions Beasley Media's radio content onto digital platforms. His work includes on-site coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia Phillies.
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