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OCTOBER 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 7 T HIS BEING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY of the Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey program, it was supposed to be a season of celebration. Then Covid-19 hit and things came to an abrupt halt. First, on-ice practices and games were scrubbed, and then the year-end banquet was in jeopardy of being cancelled. Up stepped the Chicago Dogs, a local independent professional baseball team, who offered the use of their state-of-the-art Impact Field as a way to maintain safe social dis- tances while bringing the season to a rousing conclusion for 200 players and their family members. "I can't even tell you what this meant to them," said Melanie Freeman, the director of the Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey program. "The kids were so excited to see each other again. This really made a big difference for them." The Aug. 16 event was both a joyous and socially-distanced cel- ebration. Attendees had their tem- peratures taken prior to entering the stadium and were encouraged to wear masks while maintaining a six- foot distance on the field. As players received their year-end awards and participation pins, their faces were flashed across the giant Jumbotron screen situated high above center field. "It was a wonderful, feel-good event," Freeman said. "We're so happy we were able to do this for the kids and their families." Like so many, members of the spe- cial hockey community in Chicago are not only missing the opportunity to get on the ice, they're missing their friends and teammates. To try to bridge the gap until they can lace up their skates again, the Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey pro- gram has looked for ways to safely bring players together. Up stepped Michael Seisser, a 13-year-old player with the West Dundee Leafs, who volunteered to run weekly virtual hockey work- outs for any player who wanted to attend. In addition to following Seisser through a series of exercis- es players have an opportunity to socialize with their teammates. "It's a great way to keep our kids engaged," Freeman said. "They just love it, and Michael has been great. He's always reaching out asking what else he can do to help." The Blackhawks are planning to get back on the ice this fall, staging station-based practices for limited numbers at each of the five rinks they use in the area. Once January rolls around, Freeman said they will reevaluate how the season is going and figure out how to move forward. In the meantime, the virtu- al workouts will continue so that all of those involved in the Blackhawks program can stay connected until the day comes that they can reunite on the ice. P HOME RUN 3 U S A H O C K E Y N E W S , P E O P L E & P R O G R A M S O F F THE D R AW PHOTOS COURTESY OF Melanie Freeman Blackhawks Special Hockey Players And Their Families Relish Chicago Dog's Generosity "It was a wonderful, feel-good event. We're so happy we were able to do this for the kids and their families." Celebration k The Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey program celebrated its 20th anniversary in style at a local baseball stadium.