WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE ICE PROGRAM?

I was looking to get into a coaching / mentorship program that centered around the game of hockey. Having grown up playing the game from a very young age, I was looking to be able to give back and teach fundamentals and spark a passion for the game for those who might not normally have the opportunity to do so.

HAVE YOU SEEN ICE AFFECT PARTICIPATING STUDENTS?

Absolutely. You can see the students having pure enjoyment stepping onto the ice every day as they learn the game. Friendships are created through the various team-building drills, they’re staying active, and by providing a positive after-school and weekend activity to look forward to, they show up to the rink with excitement each day.

HOW HAS VOLUNTEERING WITH ICE AFFECTED YOU?

Couldn’t have been more positive experience so far. I enjoy not only playing the game of hockey, but being able to teach fundamentals and various aspects of the game to those that are just starting out couldn’t be more rewarding. It’s a great outlet to be able to coach the students, and it takes you back to when you were young and just learning the game. You strive to provide a fun and positive experience to the students so that they too can look back with fond memories of when they started out playing the game of hockey.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC MEMORIES OR STORIES THAT STAND OUT?

The various mentor/mentee quarterly events to Park & Zoo, the Seabrook Charity Bowl events, and even getting to take the kids out to the Winter Classic at Notre Dame have been great opportunities to show the kids that there’s more to the game of hockey and ICE than just showing up to the rink twice a week to learn the game. I’ve personally had a great time getting to know my mentee Alex and being a soundboard on all things school related and beyond as he completed his senior year of high school.