In early 2022, rising hockey star Trevor Connelly faced backlash after posting a Snapchat photo of a swastika created by his teammates out of building blocks. Though he quickly deleted it and apologized, the incident damaged his reputation, leading to his removal from his amateur club team. Once seen as a top NHL prospect, Connelly’s future looked uncertain.
The turning point came when Connelly’s mother discovered an article titled “How to apologize when you say something antisemitic.” Seeing an opportunity for her son to learn and grow, she reached out to the authors, Cantor Olivia Brodsky and Rabbi Josh Stanton. What followed was a powerful, months-long mentorship. Brodsky and Stanton didn’t just educate Connelly on Jewish history, the Holocaust, and antisemitism—they built a lasting relationship rooted in empathy and accountability.
Through regular calls, readings, films, and visits to museums, Connelly began to confront the ignorance that had shaped his earlier behavior. What impressed Rabbi Stanton most was not just Connelly’s willingness to learn, but his sincerity and effort.
Putting in the Work
Stanton, who works across the country on interfaith and antisemitism outreach, noted this was the first time he had mentored someone “lambasted in the public square.”
But he stressed the importance of doing so: “When there’s a rise in antisemitism, we can’t just write everybody off. But we can ask them to learn and hopefully to change and grow in the way that Trevor has. So, I think Trevor’s story is emblematic of what can be possible.”
Thanks to that guidance and his commitment to growth, Connelly salvaged his reputation. “I’ve put in a lot of work in myself and done a lot of things in the community,” he told NHL executives. Connelly was selected 19th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2024 NHL Draft and recently helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.
