The area’s scholastic hockey community came together Friday night in the support of the Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization. The occasion was the third annual Blindness Awareness Showcase.
Some 50 athletes from 10 different high schools, split into two teams. assembled at Hatfield Ice in support of the effort.
Team Orange included players from Holy Ghost Prep, Pennridge, Central Bucks East, Father Judge, and Central Bucks South. Team Black featured players from Conestoga (girls), North Penn, Holy Ghost Prep, Pennridge, and Malvern Prep.
This year’s showcase featured a new format. Instead of a series of cross-ice fames, as had been the case in the past, the two teams played three 17-minute running-clock periods utilizing the full 200 x 85 surface of the arena’s Gray Rink. The players wore goggles that simulated various vision disorders while goaltenders were blindfolded.
For the record, Team Orange prevailed on the scoreboard but the real winner was Philadelphia Blind Hockey was the beneficiary of the evening’s ticket sales and drawings.
North Penn senior forward Luke Haftel took part in last year’s showcase and has been on the ice for Philadelphia Blind Hockey practices, working the visually impaired youngsters who share his love for hockey. He said utilizing the entire ice surface gave the event a different feel.
“It was a little different than last year, “from half ice to the full sheet. Everyone was having a good time, being able to play the full ice.
Haftel utilized several sets of goggles that allowed he and his peers to experience various eye issues.
“You switch throughout the game, you see different types,” he said. “So, kids experience them and have an understanding of how we’re raising awareness.”
Penncrest junior forward Donovan Scheidley has worked with Philadelphia Blind Hockey players in the but had never taken the ice wearing goggles until Friday night.
“I tried every one on for at least one shift,” he said. “I think it was really interesting.”
With his vision restricted, Scheidley found himself relying heavily on his sense of hearing.
“When you don’t have your sight, it’s surprising to see how much you rely on your hearing,” he said.
Holy Ghost Prep senior defenseman Chris Marshall was making his first showcase appearance. He says working with Philadelphia Blind Hockey participants helped forge a connection between those players and he and his Firebird teammates.
“That’s the most important part,” he said. “I think it’s a great experience for them to feel included and to be a part of our team.”
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