Shaker Schools Breaking the Ice Together The Shaker Heights High School hockey team joined forces with Shaker Youth Hockey Association (SYHA) and Youth Challenge to present the second annual Adapted Ice Breaker. The event provided an inclusive experience for students with physical disabilities to enjoy a variety of games and activities at Thornton Park Ice Rink, alongside hockey players and other student volunteers. Senior hockey players Wyatt Eisen and Daniel Ritts coordinated the event, enlisting the help of their team members and coach Matt Bartley. While admission was free, 80 percent of the proceeds from a raffle and “pay-to-play” sled hockey game were donated to Youth Challenge with the remainder going to the hockey team. Says Eisen, “I thought everyone took away something from the event. It could have been a personal relationship, or just a fun couple of hours. We learned that the Youth Challenge kids are just like any other kids. For most, it was their first time on the ice, and I had so many people tell me they had a great time.” According to Chris Garr, director of program services at Youth Challenge, the biggest benefit to the Adapted Ice Breaker is raising awareness. “Young people are now open to the idea of volunteering. High school players had the experience of an adaptive sport, and the YC participants had a chance to show their skills on the ice and meet some fabulous hockey players. Everybody wins,” says Garr. Twenty-two Youth Challenge participants from throughout Northeast Ohio came out to play, along with 19 students who volunteer with the organization. Seven of those volunteers are Shaker Heights Middle School and High School students. About 30 SYHA players also participated in the event. Says Shaker parent Meredith Camp, “The youth players not only had a great time playing games with the High School hockey players, but they were exposed to the wonderful work they do in giving back. It was a great day for the whole Shaker hockey community.” 16 SHAKERONLINE.COM | WINTER 2017 Sled hockey requires players to propel themselves with hockey sticks while seated in special sleds fitted with blades on the bottom. Says Daniel Ritts, one of the senior hockey players who coordinated the event, “It’s much harder than it looks, but it was the most fun part of the event.”
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