This season has not been ideal for either the Nashville Predators nor their player #77: Oakville's Luke Evangelista.
After major acquisitions in the off-season, the team was seen as a Stanley Cup contender - but sadly the team has underperformed greatly this year, and they are now one of the bottom teams in the NHL.
But the Predators' struggles on ice are not limiting their strength in the community - and Luke Evangelista has been a big part of the team's involvement throughout the community of Nashville.
Evangelista partnered with local artists from Friends Life Community in Nashville, which is a program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
With the partnership, Evangelista helped the artists paint four pairs of shoes that he will wear on specific theme nights for the Predators.
The four events are Hockey has a Heart Night, Hockey Fights Cancer Night, Kids Night, and Military Week.
For Hockey has a Heart Night, which was a Valentine's Day like event that took place last week on February 3, Evangelista was given shoes by an artist named Randle.
Randle drew several hearts on a shoe for Evangelista and write his number 77 on the heel of the shoe making them personalized for Luke.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day early with Luke Evangelista and a pair of custom shoes!
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) February 13, 2025
Earlier this year, Luke partnered with artists from Friends Life Community to design custom pairs of shoes, starting with Hockey Has Heart and Valentine’s Day.
Watch more »… pic.twitter.com/obG2ayBN13
"Randle's signature painting style is that she loves hearts so we figured heart night was the best way to represent her skills." said Evangelista.
Evangelista didn't stop there as he helped make three other pairs of shoes that he will wear at upcoming Predators games which you can see in the video linked below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htiNUG7uxEk
Evangelista played his minor hockey for the Oakville Rangers and attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School.