As the inaugural Disabled Hockey Festival for the Tampa Bay area, those
competing and in attendance saw it as a huge success for the sport.
“The greatest part of the whole tournament was the education for
disabled sports in the area,” Kristen Bowness said. “We did our best to
have Lightning representation in every principle of the game.”
From the Lightning Made
girls’ hockey teams wearing
earplugs when they played
with the deaf/hard of hearing
athletes to hosting a blind
hockey clinic at the Florida
school for the deaf and blind,
the Tampa Bay Lightning did
an amazing job creating an
inclusive environment where
The experience that came from the Disabled Hockey Festival will live long in
the hearts and minds of many hockey players and fans alike. The Lightning
and each of the disabled associations have proven that all people –
regardless of age, gender, race, or disability – can participate and succeed
in the wonderful sport of hockey and in life.
those with disabilities and those without could enjoy hockey together.
Photo Credit: Cindy Eccles-Earth-Life Studios
The Lightning-sponsored sled hockey team won the Tier IV Division, and
Bowness said they now have the championship banner hanging proudly in
Congratulations to all players that participated in
the Lightning Made Training Center. the 15th Annual Disabled Hockey Festival, you are an
inspiration to us all!
Photo Credit: Cindy Eccles-Earth-Life Studios
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