Former pro hockey player will inspire youth at this year’s Walk Against Drugs Oct. 19
Former professional hockey player Emerson Etem from the Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club will serve as the keynote speaker for the 36th Annual Walk Against Drugs on Saturday, October 19.
Hosted by the City of Mission Viejo and Orange County Sheriff's Department, the event kicks off at 8 am with Etem leading the rally at Mission Viejo High School, 25025 Chrisanta Drive.
Etem is entering his second season as the audio color analyst and content contributor for Ducks Stream in 2024-25. He, along with Steve Carroll and Alexis Downie, make up the Anaheim Ducks audio broadcast for all games hosted on Ducks Stream. Along with his role as color analyst, Etem joins Alexis Downie and Kent French as a content creator and host with Ducks Stream.
Selected by Anaheim in the first round (29th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Etem made his NHL debut with Anaheim in 2012-13. He is the highest-drafted Southern California born-and-trained player in Ducks’ history and was the third-highest player born in Southern California to be drafted.
After the rally, participants will walk together up La Paz Road through the Oso Creek Trail and end at the Village Green at Oso Viejo Community Park (24932 Veterans Way) for the Community Fair and South County Disaster Preparedness Expo.
The Community Fair and South County Disaster Preparedness Expo takes place from 9 am to noon and will feature a meet and greet with Etem. The expo will also boast displays from various community organizations, face painting, inflatables, and food trucks. The South County Disaster Preparedness Expo will feature displays from the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Sheriff’s Department such as the Mounted Enforcement Units, SWAT, K-9 Units, Search & Rescue, Hazardous Device Section, and Aero Bureau.
The walk is for all ages, and the first 1,500 participants will receive a free event T-shirt. For more information, contact 949-470-8433 or crimeprevention@cityofmissionviejo.org.