{"id":5657,"date":"2020-01-25T16:56:59","date_gmt":"2020-01-25T22:56:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=5657"},"modified":"2020-01-25T18:00:47","modified_gmt":"2020-01-26T00:00:47","slug":"minnesota-wild-blind-hockey-is-here-providing-children-and-adults-with-vision-impairments-the-opportunity-to-learn-skating-and-participate-in-ice-hockey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=5657","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey is Here! Providing Children and Adults with Vision Impairments the Opportunity to Learn Skating and Participate in Ice Hockey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blog Post by Jeff Thompson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever wanted to play Hockey? Learn how to skate on ice? Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey<\/a> has given me that opportunity as well as many others. You can join us on the ice and learn all about skating and playing this adaptive sport. It does not matter if you never skated before or you played hockey before. We all got started somewhere and with Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey and the Hendrickson Foundation<\/a>, skating and playing hockey can open the door to a great sport and meeting new friends on the ice. #HockeyChangesLives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coach Lonny, Nick, Jeff and Coach Jason at Minnesota Hockey Day 2020.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I played hockey as a kid and through my high school years and after I lost my central vision at 36, I never considered the possibility of lacing up the skates and playing hockey. That all changed back in December of 2019 when I signed up to play on the Minnesota Wild Hockey Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went out and got myself some skates and checked with the coaches about what I actually needed to play. They said they had some shoulder pads, gloves and a helmet. I picked up some shin guards, breezers, elbow pads and some hockey socks along with a supporter. I got most of this at a used sporting goods shop and paid a fraction of the costs. My skates I did get brand new, however, I got a last year\u2019s model and saved on the costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone was very encouraging when I showed up and yet that first step onto the ice was a very nervous moment for me. I stepped and then glided. I pushed off and glided with the other skate and continued. I was skating and although I fell here and there, I could feel the spirit of hockey and skating coming back to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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L to R: Jeff, Nick and Tim preparing for the Minnesota Hockey Day 2020 event.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There were others on the ice at all different levels of skill and we divided the rink up so the beginners could learn more about skating and on the other end of the rink, we started skating drills. Sometimes we only remember the fun and exciting parts because I had almost totally forgot about drills. \uf04a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 weeks later and some open skating at my local indoor-rink, I am looking forward to every Sunday down at the Tria Center rink in St. Paul and doing drills, playing with the guys and gals and having a blast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to talk to someone about joining the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey program you can go to the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey  web site<\/a> and find out more about the opportunities available through this wonderful program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Players gather on the ice during practice at the Tria Center in St. Paul.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering what Blind Hockey is all about, and believe me, I was curious as well. Here is some information from the web<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n