On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Hobart College hockey team will take on the 3-85th Mountain Warriors Sled hockey team from Fort Drum, New York, in a game of sled hockey. The charity event is set to begin at 5 p.m. at The Cooler.
The event is open to the public and there will be a $5 charge for admission, which will be donated to the Mountain Warriors and the Wounded Warrior Project. The game will consists of three 15 minute periods, with no ice cuts in between periods. Fans will also have a chance to try out sled hockey themselves after the game for a rental fee which will be donated to the cause. The Statesmen hope to raise enough money to purchase some equipment for the Mountain Warriors.
Sled hockey was invented at a rehabilitation center in Stockholm, Sweden, in the 1960s by a group who, despite their physical disability, wanted to continue playing hockey. Players sit in specially designed sleds that sit on top of two hockey skate blades. Two sticks are used by each player instead of one and the sticks have metal pics on the butt end for players to propel themselves.
“With this event, we are really hoping to raise awareness for the sport of sled hockey,” said Hobart Hockey Head Coach Mark Taylor. “It’s amazing what these athletes can do and I think it goes to show everyone that nothing should stop you from playing the game you love. Hockey has always had a strong tradition of giving back and we’re thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful event and honored to play the game with these individuals.”
All proceeds from the fundraising event will go to the Mountain Warriors Sled Team and the Wounded Warrior Project. The 3-85th Mountain Warriors sled team came together because of the work of Mark McKenna, a project engineer with the Fort Drum Field Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. He was working out in a gym in Fort Drum and saw a soldier in a wheelchair enter the gym. McKenna felt more could be done for wounded veterans. Since he was a volunteer hockey coach for over 30 years, he came up with the idea of forming a sled hockey team for the disabled soldiers. The year-old team held its first tournament last spring. The donation-only fundraiser benefited Fort Drums’ Warrior in Transition Unit, sled teams from Albany, Syracuse, Ottawa and the Wounded Warrior Project.
“I’ve known Mark McKenna my entire life and I’m amazed at what he does for sled hockey,” said Coach Taylor. “I hope people from the community and the Colleges will come and support this great cause and cheer on both teams. It’s our goal to raise enough funds to purchase a new sled and sticks for the team, which cost close to $600.”
At the event, there will also be several raffle items and apparel for sale to benefit the cause. If you’re unable to make it to The Cooler on Saturday, but would still like to support Hobart hockey’s efforts to help the Mountain Warriors and the Wounded Warrior Project, please contact Patty Cala at 315-781-3077 or [email protected].
