Grizzlie Hockey League: Special Needs Athletes Can Do It Too

Children with disabilities are lacing up their skates and hitting the ice.
 
The Grizzlies, a special needs hockey league, is allowing children with disabilities to play on a real hockey team.

KVRR’s Brittany Ford has the story.
 
Smiles and words of excitement from two soon to be grizzlie hockey players as they are suited up to hit the ice rank.

The Grizzlies a special needs hockey team, which is now in its fourth year, allows children with disabilities the chance to play on a competitive hockey team.
 
“They may not even be sure what’s it’s all about they can watch it they want can go on the ice if they want, and its free they can see if it’s going to work for them and if they want to be on the team,” said Jackie BeedyDirector for the Grizzlie’s Hockey Team.
 
Beedy says for most of athletes it’s a nice change from usually only being able to cheer from the stands.
 
“These kids have sat in the stands and cheered on their brothers and sisters and their friends for all these years and so now they get to be on the ice and their brother and sisters can cheer them on,” said Jackie Beedy Director for the Grizzlie’s Hockey Team.
 
Parents sitting on the sidelines say the best part of about the team is having their special needs children realize that they can be athletes too.
 
Shanda has been playing in the league since it started, her mom Jolene says after watching her twin brother play hockey for over six years, she was finally able to say she can do it too.
 
“She wants to do the same things as her brother, and this program allowed her to do that called the grizzlies,” said Jolene Youngquist mother of Shanda.
 
The team has a season schedule where they play other special needs teams from Minneapolis and Alexander, allowing special needs athletes to put their game faces on.
Brittany Ford KVRR News.
 
To find out more about the Grizzlies Special needs Hockey Team you can visit their Facebook page “Grizzlies’ Special Hockey” or click here