Recently, hockey fans across the United States celebrated another “Hockey Weekend Across America.” The NHL was in full force with four nationally telecast games and youth hockey across the country participated in many different local events.
The objectives of the annual event are to celebrate all those involved in the sport and provide opportunities for those who haven’t played the sport before to try it out. Growing the game of hockey has been a huge push by USA Hockey the past 10 years and it certainly succeeded in many areas.
One organization not well known helps those who have sacrificed for their country continue their hockey playing dreams. The USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program provides a place for soldiers who were wounded in the line of duty to continue to play hockey that provides recreational, therapeutic experience and education.
Courtesy USA Warriors Ice Hockey
The program houses two teams, a standing team and sled team. Both play in local leagues, are based out of the Washington, D.C.-area and participate in exhibitions around the country.
The Sled Team is led by Head Coach Michael Vaccaro. The Army veteran grew up playing hockey is his native Buffalo and has always loved the sport. He has enjoyed seeing the growth of sled hockey over recent times.
“Sled hockey has grown and part of that is because USA Hockey has put their force behind it,” said Vaccaro. “We have won back-to-back gold medals which has also helped the sled hockey team grow.”
The team is comprised of different skills levels from beginner up to Olympic Gold Medalist. Vaccaro is proud to say he has multiple Olympians on his current roster.
“Some of our guys are on the national team and they have to travel with national team, who have won medals. One of our players is actually the goalie for the Italian National Team.”
The team’s main completion is in the Northeast Sled Hockey League. They play five others teams from Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The league plays games once a month on the weekends throughout the region.
The regular season concluded in February and the USA Warriors finished atop the standings with a 10-1-1 record. They are now preparing for LEGACY Sled Hockey Classic in Exeter, N.H., which will be played March 6-8.
Courtesy USA Warriors Ice Hockey
While there is a competitive nature to the team, they want to include any injured veteran interested in playing hockey, for their sled or standing teams.
“USA Warriors Ice Hockey give everybody the opportunity play,” said Vaccaro. “Because they get a certain injury they think they can’t play and that is wrong. They just need to reach out to us and we can help them.”
Players have even seen manufactures step in to help create proper equipment according to Vaccaro. “Bauer created a skate for one of our players who had permanent braces and couldn’t fit into a regular boot. Now he can skate again with the custom skates”
At the 2015 Winter Classic the standing team got to play with the Chicago Blackhawks after their practice. It has become somewhat of a tradition that the Hawks’ Joel Quenneville has included the team in an outdoor post-practice game.
Courtesy USA Warriors Ice Hockey
“This is the coolest part,” Warriors President Charlie Hymen said. “The Blackhawks already practiced, it’s New Year’s Eve, they have a game tomorrow. But look at them. They’re not leaving to take a shower and get warm. They’re hanging out with our guys. Several NHL teams have supported us, but no team cares more than the Blackhawks care.”
To find out more information about the USA Warriors Ice Hockey program visit www.usawarriors.org. To learn more about the Northeast Sled Hockey League visit www.neshl.org.
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_PHN and you can always reach him at adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
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