“It’s continued to grow every single year,” said Danny Hendrickson who runs the foundation. “This year we have 90 teams in sled hockey, special hockey, warrior hockey – which is the military – blind and low vision and deaf and hard of hearing.”
The 10th annual festival took place on the final weekend in May. The event drew a whopping 1500 athletes who played 170 games in a three-day span.
“It’s always been about the athletes,” Hendrickson said. “It’s always been about the families that support the athletes.”
Hockey jamboree
This hockey jamboree is a puck-lovers fantasy and brings in teams from all across the USA – including places such as Alaska, Maine, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, where the festival’s reputation is well-known in hockey circles.
“Most of it’s word of mouth,” Hendrickson said. “I think when people come to this event they can feel it. I’ve got chills just even thinking about it. It’s a free event – nobody pays a penny.”
The festival is the largest hockey tournament of it’s kind on the globe.
The festival is inclusive and gives everyone a chance to play the coolest sport on earth.
“It’s not about having a disability, ” Hendrickson said. “It’s about focusing on your abilities to have fun, compete and be part of the team.”
Bryce Campos is 19 years old and was born with cerebral palsy. He played for the Hope Inc. Hurricanes sled hockey team from East Grand Forks, Minn.
Said Campos: “I’m having fun.”
While Campos competed on the ice, his father Daniel and other family members watched from the seats. They’re ecstatic Bryce gets a chance to play hockey.
“It’s a great program,” Daniel said. “We really appreciate a lot of things that they do. It’s very open. It’s very accommodating for everything they do for us.”
Uplifting event
Besides having fun, Bryce thrives on being able to compete on the ice.
“It’s awesome, just to be able to connect with the other people and make new friends,” Bryce said. “It’s pretty special. It’s super competitive. We like to make it competitive. We like to play hard and get physical a little bit and just have fun – that’s the main part.”
Daniel likes the determination and spirit Bryce brings to sled hockey.
“He has the mentality of never give up,” Daniel said. “He’s always believed and no matter what I can do or whatever I do, I can achieve everything. The only thing that’s going to stop him from not achieving things is himself.”
This festival is an uplifting event.
“Hockey changes lives,” Hendrickson said.
It gives these athletes a chance to set goals and score goals.
Danny Hendrickson’s brother is Darby, who is an assistant coach for the Nashville Predators and used to play and coach for the Minnesota Wild.
