Wolf Pack to Host U.S. Standing/Amputee Hockey Team vs. NYPD Game February 23rd
Published on January 29, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release
HARTFORD, January 29, 2008: Northland AEG announced today that the Hartford Wolf Pack's GEICO Connecticut Cup home game vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Saturday, February 23rd at the XL Center will feature a pre-game exhibition game between the U.S. Standing/Amputee Hockey Team and a team of able-bodied skaters from the New York City Police Department.
"Lou Holtz once said, 'life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it', which is why this team has been such a success," said the U.S. Amputee Team's head coach, Connecticut native Bret Chernik. "This is a group of men who refuse to let their disability get the best of them. The team's motto is simple, 'put your disability on ice' and show no fear. Adversity can make some people break, but for the players it makes them stronger than the steel which their arms or legs are made of.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for our players to sharpen their skills against an excellent able-bodied NYPD team, as we prepare to take home gold in the upcoming tournament. We are also looking forward to showing the local hockey fans that you can 'put your disability on ice' and keep playing the game even after experiencing limb loss."
"This is an inspiring group of athletes," Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander said of the U.S. Amputee Team, "and we are thrilled to feature one of their games along with one of ours, in hopes of helping them achieve their goals. I encourage all sports fans to come out and enjoy the courage and heart that this team brings to the ice."
Doors will open at the XL Center at 3:30 PM on February 23rd for the pre-game event, and the exhibition action will face off at 4:00. A ticket for that night's Wolf Pack game is also good for admission to the U.S. National Amputee Hockey Team vs. NYPD game. Fans can go on-line to www.ticketmaster.com and enter the promo code CHERNIK, and purchase red-level tickets, normally $23, for $18 each. $4 of each ticket purchased through this promotional code will go back to the U.S. Amputee Hockey Team. After their game, both the U.S. Amputee Team and the NYPD hockey team will be appearing in the XL Center atrium to sign autographs and interact with fans.
The Amputee Team, part of USA Hockey's Disabled Hockey programs, is preparing for the World Championships, which will be held early April in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Standing/Amputee hockey is played upright and follows typical ice hockey rules with the notable exception that the players are missing one or more of their upper or lower extremities. Players use prostheses to control the hockey stick or to skate, and these skills can be improved, like any other hockey skill.
The U.S. Amputee Team is currently working towards a goal of reaching paralympic status. Until that is achieved, the team must cover all their own costs, including equipment and travel. The goal of this pre-game exhibition on February 23rd is to assist the U.S. Amputee Hockey Team in raising funds to help them cover their costs, and to generate awareness about amputee hockey.
Tickets for all Wolf Pack home games are on sale at the XL Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including Macy's at the Buckland Hills Mall and at the Westfarms Mall. Tickets may also be charged by phone at (860) 525-4500, (203) 744-8100, (203) 624-0033 or (413) 733-2500, and on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com. Throughout the 2007-08 Wolf Pack season, kids are always $10. Any seat. Any game.
Wolf Pack season tickets are also on sale now. For information on all of the Wolf Pack's ticketing options, including full-season, five, 10 and 20-game packages, coupon books and group discounts, contact the Wolf Pack Ticket Office at (860) 548-2000.
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