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LENDING A HAND Since its inception, Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey has witnessed unwavering support. State Champ Orono Boys and Girls High School teams were there for their first ever practice. The program typically welcomes a hockey team—from Squirts to Peewees to Bantams —or a group of volunteers to assist the team during practice. "It's been amazing," Gillen said. "They're just as interested in this program as our players are." Whether it's guiding them across the ice, passing the puck or lending a few words of encouragement, volunteers are available to provide supplementary support to the players. A Minnetonka Peewee hockey team volun- teered its time when the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey Team practiced at Xcel Energy Center in mid-December. For two skaters, it was a chance to connect on a new plane. "The Minnetonka piece is really cool in that one of the kids out there, Brady, his sister is Emily, one of our skaters," Evans said. "I think it was really a cool validator for her—for a teenage boy to be out there with his sister in a setting that's cool. Their dad was tearing up, and I made a comment saying, 'this is so cool.' And he said, 'you know, if people knew behind the scenes how they go at each other—to see them out on the ice getting along is so great.' It was really powerful to him." STRONG PARTNERSHIPS Ever since Gillen approached Minnesota Hockey and the Minnesota Wild about blind hockey, both have shown full support. "They've been so amazing," Gillen said. "Minnesota Hockey, first of all, said, 'let us know what you need.' And then when I went to the Wild and said we'd like to make this a branded program, they said, 'we are on board one thousand percent.'" UBS Financial Services immediately jumped on board before the first puck was even dropped. The Minnesota Hockey and Minnesota Wild logos have also provided validating sup- port for the entire hockey community. "To have that visual, for those of us that are not visually impaired, is also a really cool thing," Evans said. "People recognize right away that this is the State of Hockey, and we are a part of something really special here." For players like Hutchens, who have been hockey fans for years, getting involved in a program like Minnesota Blind Hockey is especially enjoyable. Hutchens has been a Minnesota Wild hockey fan since 2000, which made the opportunity to practice on the same ice as his favorite players a surreal experience. "When we were at TRIA he said, 'Lonny, I love the Wild!' and I said, 'Mike, how cool that you're skating for the Wild,'" Evans said. "It means so much to have that support. I think it tells people they are valued and valuable." The support is just another example of Minnesota's tight-knit hockey community. "The hockey community in general is just so giving, and they watch out for each other and support each other," Evans said. "I don't take this for granted, but none of what I'm seeing or experiencing is necessarily sur- prising, because that's how it's always been in my experiences." LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE During the weekend of August 23-25, 2019, the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Wild Foundation, Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey will host the 6 th Annual USA Hockey Blind Hockey Summit at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul. The event will feature a coaching clinic, a try-it session, a com- munity banquet and games for all sizes and skill levels. The location will also soon be a familiar place for the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey team. During the program's inaugural season, weekly practices were held in various loca- tions throughout the Twin Cities metro area, including rinks in St. Paul, Blaine and Woodbury. But starting with the 2019-20 season, the team's home rink will be TRIA Rink. Gillen also hopes to welcome new faces to the team in the coming years. She's optimis- tic the program will garner enough players for both a youth team and an adult team. If the first season is any indicator of its success, both Gillen and Evans know there's much potential for the future of the program. "We're definitely in our infancy," Evans said. "All it takes, like anything, is one word to the right person and things open up. People understand and see things different- ly and in a new way … I hope we're giving 100 percent right now to the team as it is, as well as thinking 100 percent for the people who have yet to do it." Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey has opened new doors for novices, and has made dreams come true for players who used to spend so much of their time on the ice. "For those who have played hockey in the past, this is another way to regain their life back again," Gillen said. "For the majority of our players, especially the youth, they never thought they'd ever be able to play the sport. To be able to be on the ice, to feel so supported and be a hockey player… I literally go home tearing up every night after practices. We're doing something so special here." F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 25 The Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey program welcomes players of all ages.