4 • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020 • CAREGIVER
DIFFERENT TYPE OF HOCKEY
EVENT TAKES SPOTLIGHT
Pittsburgh to host nearly 160 teams across six disciplines
for 2020 USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival in March, April
Disabled hockey, whether it’s sled hockey,
blind hockey or one of the other disciplines
contested across the country, has the power
to bring together not only athletes but also
the families of athletes who share the love
of the sport.
There will be no greater gathering than
this year’s USA Hockey Disabled Hockey
Festival, which will be the largest to date
and which Pittsburgh will host over the
course of two weekends beginning March
26.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to come
and compete,” said Michele Humphreys,
co-chair of the event. “This is Nationals.
It’s our big national stage where people
are competing, but there’s also a sense of
friendship.
“There’s a deeper level of being with people
who understand what you go through.
And that goes for players and caregivers
and families who experience the joys and
challenges with an individual with special
needs.
“Another mom put it perfectly when she
said, ‘My son has friends at school and
they’re awesome, they rally around him,
but it’s good for him to come be with kids
who are facing a lot of what he faces in his
day-to-day life.’ ”
This is the 16th year of the festival, which
started with four disciplines and roughly
20 teams, said J.J. O’Connor, USA Hockey
Disabled Hockey Section Chair.
FACING OFF
SUBMITTED
BY KAREN PRICE
FOR TRIB TOTAL MEDIA