Blindness Awareness Showcase a Learning Event for Participants

For the participants in last Friday’s Blindness Awareness Showcase, the event was both a hockey experience and a life lesson.

Some 50 high-school hockey players from 10 different schools were on hand for the event, which was a fundraiser for Philadelphia Blind Hockey. For the first time, the players were divided into two teams and played a 51-minute game (with running-clock periods) on the full 200 x 85 ice surface on the Gray Rink at Hatfield Ice. The players wore goggles to simulate various vison disorders while the goaltenders wore blindfolds.

The caliber of play was impressive; even with restricted vision the players were able to display their hockey skills and athleticism. North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis said utilizing the full ice surface instead of playing crosspiece as had been the case the past two years elevated the players’ comfort level, but with a caveat.

“I think playing on the full ice, the kids were going out there and kind of got to experience what other players kind have to experience playing the game that they love.” Vaitis said. “Anybody can play the game of hockey. We all love to play, so it’s great to see those kids give back.”

Vaitis said the showcase exemplified the giving nature of the area hockey community.

“It’s a tight group,” he said, “and I think you see that when it comes to helping out with blind hockey, or a player in our area maybe suffers from cancer or something like that. Everybody kind of rallies around that individual; it’s great to see.”

Kelsey McGuire is the founder executive director pf Philadelphia Blind Hockey. The program launched in 2022 with coaches and high-school players assisting youngsters determined to play hockey despite theor vision issues. There were five participants that first year; this year the number has grown to 17.

McGuire is pleased with the Philadelphia Blind Hockey’s sustained growth.

“It’s pretty exciting that our numbers are growing,” she said. “and we just continue to grow and bring awareness to our program.”

McGuire says the high-school players who are involved with Philadelphia Blind Hockey in whatever fashion gain a unique perspective on the program.

“I think it’s a great way for them to understand where our community is when they give back,” she said, “and when they come to our practices, so they can actually see what it’s like for our players and how they do. It’s pretty cool and pretty rewarding for them to understand the challenges and the difficulties that our players live with every day.”

Scholastic Season Kicks Off With Philadelphia Blind Hockey Event

The scholastic hockey season will kick off on Friday, October 3^rd when representatives from 10 high-school teams will converge at Hatfield Ice to take part in a fundraiser for Philadelphia Blind Hockey.

The players will wear goggles which replicate various visual disorders. Goaltenders will be blindfolded.

Two teams of adults will get the evening started at 6:30 with the high-school skaters scheduled to take the ice at 7:40. This year’s event will utilize a full-ice, five-on-five format.

The Orange Team will include players from Holy Ghost Prep, Father Judge, Central Bucks East, Pennridge, and Central Bucks South.

The Black Team will feature players from Malvern Prep, North Penn, Haverford High, Penncrest, and the Conestoga girls.

Admission will be five dollars.

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Youth Jamboree Celebrates Blind Hockey

Passion and joy filled the Blue Rink at Hatfield Ice Saturday morning. The occasion was the debut of the Blind Hockey Youth Jamboree.

Organized by Philadelphia Blind Hockey, the weekend-long event brought together youngsters with a passion for hockey who are living their lives with visual impairments. Sixteen athletes, divided into two evenly matched teams of eight, took the ice Saturday morning for the first of three games (additional games were played Saturday night and Sunday morning). The majority of the participants are part of the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program; but there were also skaters representing blind hockey programs in St. Louis, Toronto, Denver, and Edmonton

The Jamboree was the end result of three years of effort to get Philadelphia Blind Hockey up and running; for three years now the participants have been practicing regularly with the assistance and encouragement of high-school hockey players from schools throughout area.

Kelsey McGuire is the founder and executive director pf Philadelphia Blind Hockey.

“I’m very excited how this is happening,” she said. “I didn’t think a blind hockey game would ever happen for our player but it’s truly something that is very special.”

McGuire cited how some of the program’s participants have developed their skating and other hockey skills since Philadelphia Blind Hockey was launched in 2022.

“Some of our players have been with us from the very beginning,” she said, “and for some of our players who are out here today it’s their first year.

“Just to see the difference that even a year cam make with our players and the development of them helps them gain confidence, which is very rewarding at the end of the day.

“It’s very exciting to see what their skill level is and how the game of blind hockey has grown.”

Seeing the players on the ice in a game-type situation was an inspiring experience for onlookers.

Alexis Matlack is a coach with Philadelphia Blind Hockey and worked with the players Saturday morning. She that the confidence blind hockey players build on the ice carries over to their lives off the ice.

“I’ve definitely seen with our kids the confidence off ice,” she said, “based on what they’ve done on the ice.

“We were recently at a Canadian hockey tournament and our kids really bonded off the ice. They were just more outgoing versus when they first got started. Just playing any sport really builds confidence. It’s amazing for them to have this visually impaired sport to go out and do.”

McGuire praises the Flyers Cup Committee and committee President Eric Tye for their support of the program.

“{Tye} is a great mentor to me and to our program,” she said, “to allow it to be as successful as it is. His leadership and what he knows about the hockey world has helped.

“It’s very exciting, and we continue to work with him and grow the game

Learn more about Philadelphia Blind Hockey

The weekend’s gams were streamed on the Flyers Cup You Tube Channel

Hatfield Ice to Host Blind Hockey Event

Hatfield Ice Arena will be the setting next weekend when Philadelphia Blind Hockey hosts the inaugural Blind Hockey Youth Jamboree. The event will involve participants in the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program as well as visually impaired players from elsewhere.

There will be two games on Saturday, April 12^th at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and a third on Sunday, April 13 at 8:45 a.m.

All three games will be streamed live on the Flyers Cup You Tube channel.

With the assistance of the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Blind Hockey was launched in 2022 to provide visually impaired individuals access to hockey. The program is open to players of all ages with visual impairments.

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase a Unique Experience for Participants

The Philadelphia area hockey community came together at Hatfield Ice Arena Thursday night in support of Philadelphia Blind Hockey and that organization’s efforts to provide access to the sort to those with visual disabilities.

The second annual showcase brought together 10 high-school teams and a college club team who played a series of 15-minute four-on-four games while wearing specially designed goggles that replicated various visual impairments.

The evening also included teams representing Philadelphia Blind Hockey’s coaching staff, the Philadelphia Flyers’ community relations staff, and two teams representing the Flyers Warriors, which features players with disabilities.

The participants offered unique perspectives on the experience

Malvern Prep senior Gabe Bedwell joined several of his teammates on a squad that featured players from the Pennridge boys’ and girls’ teams. He said the experience of playing hockey with restricted vision left him with a sense of gratitude.

“It really does make me so thankful to have the vision that I have,” he said. “it really is just a gift from God, it just makes your heart bleed for people that aren’t as fortunate as you.

Bedwell had the opportunity to experience various vision issues, however briefly, with multiple pairs of goggles.

“One, I think it was cataracts,” he said. “You couldn’t see anything. Honestly, that was an experience. I think I had a goal with them somehow, And, the other ones were also very challenging.”

Bedwell was asked what it was like to play hockey with restricted vision.

“It’s hard to explain honestly,” he said. “It’s a weird experience.

“When I tried with the [cataract glasses] it was the hardest one. You could see colors and shapes but you didn’t know where their sticks were at all, you didn’t know how or when they were going to get to you. The closing speed was definitely a lot different and it’s just really like a guessing game sometimes. You just don’t know where you’re going.”

Bedwell noted that participating in the showcase was in keeping with Malvern Prep’s philosophy of community service.

“This is honestly one of the most impactful things I’ve done,” he said. “I think it really spreads awareness [the APAC] itself too. It’s pretty cool. It was honestly a great experience and it was actually fun.”

Former Flyer Brad Marsh skated with the Flyers’ community service team. Marsh played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, including seven with the Flyers, but Thursday night was a new experience for him.

“Well, I’ll tell you, it was awkward,” he said. “It was weird, it was difficult, but it was quite a unique experience.”

Marsh was asked about how he and fellow Flyers alum Doug Crossman approached skating with restricted vision.

“Well, the thing is we do know how to skate, ”Marsh said “so our main goal was to keep our balance and stay out of everybody’s way.

“But it was fun. Whenever you can play hockey it’s great and USA Hockey and Canadian amateur hockey, they’ve done a great job incorporating the various disabilities into the game of hockey. Blind hockey, deaf hockey, sled hockey, I know I’m missing some, but hats off to the hockey associations for making the game accessible to people with disabilities.”

Marsh was asked what he wanted the high-school and college player who participated to take away from the experience.

“That they get an understanding of playing the game with a handicap,” he said. “And it gives them an appreciation of what they have. Whenever you can expose young people to something new, it’s a great learning experience.”

• In addition to Malvern Prep. the participating schools included North Penn, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, Pennridge [boys and girls] Holy Ghost Prep, Haverford High, Penncrest, Father Judge and the Neumann University men’s club team.

APAC Will Have a Presence at Blind Hockey Showcase

Two APAC schools will be among the participants Thursday night in the second annual Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase which is scheduled for Hatfield Arena.

Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep will join Father Judge, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, North Penn, Haverford, Penncrest, along with and the boys’ and girls’ teams from Pennridge and the men’s club team from Neumann University.

Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie points out that participating in the showcase is in keeping with the school’s educational and spiritual philosophy.

“”We were very grateful to be included in the event last year. It is an event that aligns with HGPs Spiritan foundation. Participating in the Philadelphia Blind Hockey charity is a reminder that the spirit of the game knows no barriers. Together, the hockey community can inspire, uplift, and create opportunities for all athletes to experience our game.”

Doors will open at 5:30 Thursday evening; the first games will begin at 6:10. Admission is $5.

Blind Hockey Showcase Brings Awareness to Vision Impairment Issues

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase returns this week, bigger and more inclusive. Players representing 10 high-school teams will joined by teams representing several community organizations will take part in the event, which is scheduled for Hatfield Ice Arena on Thursday night. Doors will open at 5:30; the first games half-ice games will begin at 6:10.

The players will wear specially designed goggles which replicate various types of vision disabilities. Goaltenders will be blindfolded.

The first half of the evening will see teams taking the ice representing Philadelphia Blind Hockey, the Philadelphia Flyers community staff and alumni, and the Flyers Warriors.

Following those games the high-school player will take the ice.

One team will include players from Central Bucks South, Father Judge, and Haverford High. Another will blend players from the Pennridge boys’ and girls’ teams with Malvern Prep. A third will combine players from North Penn, Central Bucks East, and Holy Ghost Prep. The fourth will put see players from Penncrest skating alongside players from Neumann University’s men’s club team.

Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye spoke to the impact of last year’s inaugural showcase.

“It was awesome,” he said. “I think well beyond the expectations of anyone involved. We raised a lot of awareness, we raided a lot of money for Philadelphia Blind Hockey and think all the kids that played in it really got a whole new perspective on what it’s like to have a vision disability.”

Tye noted that the players on the high-school teams involved in the showcase have been working with the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program on an ongoing basis.

“All 10 of them have spent time with Philadelphia Blind Hockey at a practice session. Whether it was this year, last year, or the year before. They’ve all spent time being out at practice, some of them two or three times.”

Steve Mescanti is the head coach at Penncrest. He says participating in the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program, including last year’s showcase. Made an impact on his players.

“The kids really respond to it,” he said. “I think they somehow really grasp it, quickly and easily, that we’re a heck of a lot more fortunate than a lot of other people.

I think kids look at it ‘If I can teach or help these kids to love hockey as much as I do that’s a good thing.”

Mescanti says the program allows his student-athletes to use the game of hockey to make an impact in their communities.

“This is an opportunity to go out and have fun,” he said, almost in the same vein as pond hockey; ‘I can give back, and I can have fun. I can do something that I love.

“At the end, it’s very rewarding because the blind hockey kids are so appreciative which I think lets the other guys know that ‘You know what? I did a good thing here. It was very much appreciated, it’s something that love and I’m helping someone else to maybe grow the love that I have for the game.”

Haverford High John Povey says his players are looking forward to being part of the showcase.

“We had a handful of seniors that went up and attended the event and the same thing this year,” he said. “The five or six guys we’ve got going up are all seniors. It’s a nice little event for them and obviiuly what comes out of it is the unique experience of what the children are going through and what they have to live with.

You always want to give back and I think it’s great for all the communities involve, all the clubs involved.”

Like the other participating schools, the Fords help out with Philadelphia Blind Hockey practice sessions.

“We’ve had a couple different experiences with this organization,” Povey said. “It really puts it in perspective some of the things they have to go through.

“(But) they never complain and they have every reason to. You walk into those locker rooms, you walk into those events, they’ve got smile from ear to ear. It’s really cool to see.”

“For me as a coach, it’s good to see my players get involved and they do such a good job with it. They embrace it, they look forward to it, they’re excited about it.”

Admission to the showcase will be $5.

Blindness Awareness Event to Kick Off Scholastic Hockey Season

Nine high-school boys’ hockey team and one girls’ team will be on hand for the Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase, which is set for Thursday, October 24 at Hatfield Ice.

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization is staging the event for the second year in a row to commemorate Blindness Awareness Month.

The teams will skate using vision-restricted goggles which are intended to simulate various types of vision loss/vision issues.

The participating teams will include Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South North Penn, and Pennridge from the SHSH, Father Judge, Haverford, and Penncrest from the ICSHL, and Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep from the APAC.

The Pennridge girls’ team will also be on hand along with the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors and the Neumann University men’s club team.

Doors will open at 5:30. The first games will begin at 6:10.

Admission will be $5.

Hockey Happenings is seeking writers to assist with our coverage of scholastic hockey in the Philadelphia area this season. Seeking reliable individuals knowledgeable hockey who are available on weeknights. Writing experience preferred.

For details, contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Founder McGuire Nominated for NHL’s O’Ree Award

Kelsey McGuire, the founder and executive director of Philadelphia Blind Hockey, has been named as one of three American finalists for the National Hockey League’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award Presented by Discover.

The general public my cast votes for the nominee of their choice through May 19. The public’s vote will be combined with votes by NHL executives and O’Ree himself before the winner is announced in June.

Individuals can vote once in each 24-hour period through this link.

https://www.nhl.com/community/willie-oree/willie-oree-community-hero-award

The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award honors the NHL’s first Back player. O’Ree played in his first NHL game for the Boston Bruins on January 18, 1958 despite being blind in his right eye. His 21-year professional career included 45 NHL appearances, all with the Bruins. The bulk of his career was spent in the Western Hockey League.

For more than 25 years, O’Ree has served as the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, promoting the importance of inclusion and diversity in the sport.

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Event Brings Awareness to Vision Issues

Some high-school hockey players got a new view of their sport and some life lessons along with it Thursday night. Players from nine area high-school teams participated in the inaugural Philadelphia Blind Hockey 3 on 3 Blind Awareness Tournament at Hatfield Ice.

Proceeds from the evening benefitted the Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization.

Each team participated in two 24-minute cross-ice scrimmages while wearing googles designed to simulate various forms of vision loss (goaltenders were blindfolded).

For Central Bucks South senior captain D.J. Lindenmuth, it was a unique experience.

“It was something I’ve never experienced,” he said. “I was playing basically blinded at some points with barriers in my vision, but it was a great time. Everyone had some fun.”

Lindenmuth tried on an assortment of versions of the goggles. One pair simulated cataracts. Another gave the players a sense of the effects of diabetes on eyesight.

Lindenmuth noted how skating with reduced vision impacted his perception of the ice.

“If definitely changed the game for sure,” he said. “You’ve got to use your ears a lot more to make sure you know where you are on the ice. It’s more or less listening, and knowing where your teammates are knowing where you need to go, where the net’s at.”

Pennridge senior Kevin Pico said he and his teammates tried on an assortment of goggles to get an overview of different types of vision loss. On the ice their sense of hearing helped them adapt to their new surroundings.

“You’ve be quiet and listen to [the puck] so you can hear the jingles of the [ball bearings] inside of it,” Pico said.

Central Bucks South coach Shaun McGinty stressed the importance of his team being part of the event.

“[Flyers Cup Committee President] Eric Tye invited us to do this and I didn’t even ask my board’s permission,” he said. “I just said ‘We’re in.’

“It wasn’t a thought process for me. It was ‘We’re in, whatever I can do.’ Part of community service is understanding what you have, and giving up your time.”

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna took note of the atmosphere at Hatfield Ice, both inside and outside the Blue Rink.

“This is incredible,” he said. “We’re really proud to be a part of this. I know the players are. They can’t believe the event they put together out here. It’s really, really, cool to watch.”

Montagna had no shortage of athletes who wanted to take part in Wednesday night’s event before he selected 10.

“They all volunteered for this,” he said. We had more guys that wanted to do this than we had room. I think that’s what I’m most proud of.

“They’ve loved working with these kids [at Philadelphia Blind Hockey clinics], they’ve loved working with this program. It’s gotten bigger and bigger for our players and we hope be a part of it moving forward.”

Pico says being part of Thursday night’s event gave him a new appreciation for what visually impaired people dal with on a day-to-day basis.

“You’ve got to give them respect,” he said. “[Playing hockey while visually impaired] It looks a lot easier than it is and once you actually try, you realize how hard it is.”

Lindenmuth says that participating in the tournament is part of the Titans’ commitment to giving back.

“I think that it shows that our club does things for the community,” he said. “They want everyone to notice [Philadelphia] Blind Hockey. And just raise awareness and have a good time.

“Hockey is one big family. Everyone looks out for each other.”

McGinty was asked what life lessons he would like his players to take away from Thursday night’s experience.”

“To not take things for granted,” he said. “To understand that you’re given a gift and you’re an able-bodied person. There’s kids out here trying to do what you do and they should be excited to come to the rink and they should never think to themselves ‘I don’t want to go to practice tonight or ‘What time is practice over?’ The moment they’re thinking that, they’re taking it for granted.

“I tell my boys all the time, your four years of high school go by so fast but to come out here tonight put it in the perspective of something that could be taken away from you or something your born with a vision or some other disability.”

• In addition to Central Bucks South and Pennridge, the teams that participated in the event included Haverford, Springfield Delco, Malvern Prep, Holy Ghost Prep, Father Judge, North Penn, and Penncrest.

Find out more about Philadelphia Blind Hockey