March 6, 2026
Marcel Fisette, Manager of Communications at St.Amant, sat down with Brianne Haeusler, Speech-Language Pathologist at St.Amant, to discuss a meaningful collaboration between St.Amant and the Manitoba Moose. The partnership resulted in the creation of new hockey themed communication boards designed to support inclusive participation for children, families, and individuals who benefit from alternative and augmentative communication.
The boards were officially introduced during an Autism Acceptance themed Manitoba Moose game on February 22, 2026, marking an important step toward creating more accessible and welcoming experiences at live sporting events. Through collaboration between St.Amant specialists and the Manitoba Moose organization, the boards were thoughtfully designed to support communication, self-expression, and meaningful engagement in a high energy community setting like a hockey rink.
Marcel Fisette (MF): For those who may not know you, can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your path to St.Amant and your role as a speech-language pathologist?
Brianne Haeusler (BH): My name is Brianne Haeusler. I started at St.Amant in August 2018, right after graduating with my master’s degree from the University of Alberta. This was my first job right out of school. I work primarily with adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, supporting their communication, whether that is helping them find new ways to communicate or building on their existing skills.
MF: Can you describe your role in developing the new hockey-themed communication boards that were shared at the Manitoba Moose game this past week?
BH: I met with representatives from True North Sports & Entertainment, who had reached out, along with May from the Autism Program here at St.Amant. They were interested in developing a communication tool that could be handed out at games and be genuinely helpful.
I suggested using a communication board like ones I already use with individuals in the community, and there was a lot of interest in that idea. We wanted the board to be double sided, with one side featuring core vocabulary used in everyday life such as feelings, expressions, wants, needs, and requests, and the other side focused specifically on hockey.
I created an initial draft and shared it with Kyle from the Manitoba Moose and May from the Autism Program. They reviewed it, suggested a few edits, and sent it back. After about two or three drafts, we were all happy with the final version. It was a very collaborative process.
MF: What makes communication boards especially important in community spaces like a hockey rink?
BH: Hockey games are exciting environments, and people want to engage with their community by chanting, cheering, and making comments about the game. The board allows users to express excitement, opinions about a play, or even frustration with a call.
At the same time, hockey rinks can be very stimulating, with loud noise, flashing lights, music, and large crowds. It is important that individuals also have a way to communicate when they need a break, feel overwhelmed, or need time away from that environment. The boards support both engagement and self-advocacy.
MF: How did the collaboration between St.Amant specialists and the Manitoba Moose influence the language and images included on the board?
BH: The collaboration was key. The Manitoba Moose helped guide the hockey specific language they wanted included, while May and I brought our knowledge of the vocabulary individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism often want or need to express.
We wanted the board to have a robust vocabulary without being overwhelming. Some communication boards can include many symbols, which can be a lot to process. Our goal was to keep it user friendly while still allowing for meaningful communication.
MF: What kinds of interactions or moments do these boards help support during a game?
BH: They support very meaningful interactions. The boards go beyond basic wants and needs and include opinions and thoughts, such as whether something was a good call or a bad call, asking questions, or making comments.
They allow individuals to connect with their environment on a deeper level and show that their message matters.
MF: From your perspective, how do tools like these help create more inclusive community experiences?
BH: Having communication boards available at such a popular event sends a strong message that individuals matter and that what they think, feel, and want to express is important.
Providing accessible tools like this shows that there is space for them within the community.
MF: What do you hope families and fans take away from seeing and using these communication boards at future games?
BH: I hope that when families and fans see others using the boards, they take a moment to really pay attention to the messages being expressed. I also hope that those using the boards find them helpful and feel that they truly support what they want to communicate.
MF: Can you tell us how people can access these boards? Will they be available at future games?
BH: Yes, they will be available at future Manitoba Moose games and Jets games. On the hockey side of the board, we included both Go Moose Go and Go Jets Go.
At the February 22 game, the boards were available at customer service. My understanding is that this will continue, though I am not sure yet if they will be available in additional locations around the rink.
MF: Is there anything else you would like to share about the communication boards?
BH: I hope we see more collaborative projects like this in the future. What the Manitoba Moose and True North are doing is fantastic, and it is great to see inclusive communication supported throughout the environment.
