JULY 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM
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For the previous five years, the Bowie Hockey
Club paid for an interpreter. The price ranged
from $6,000 to $9,000 per season.
"We just felt like it was the right thing to
do," Jones said. "We needed to give Keivonn
every opportunity to play hockey like any
other player. I searched for years trying to
find grant money."
Keivonn's hockey journey started when
he was 4 years old, and he dabbled with
gymnastics, T-ball and basketball before
becoming enamored with hockey. He had his
fourth birthday party at Bowie Ice Rink and
saw players on the ice in full
gear scrimmaging. That's
all it took to spark his inter-
est. He turned to his mother,
Jackson-Woodard, and said, "I
want to play hockey."
J a c k s o n - W o o d a r d , w h o
t o u r e d a l l ove r t h e w o r l d f o r
13 years with the Quest Theater
Company and had a supporting role
in a Netflix documentary, had no prob-
lem with him playing. However, his father,
Dwayne Woodward, did. Dwayne wanted his
son to play basketball and football. Dwayne
had a long career in basketball and played
semipro in Italy for three years.
Nonetheless, Keivonn was soon on the ice
for the first time. His father loved taking him
to games and practices until he passed away
in 2021 from cancer—about a year before
Keivonn started filming "The Last of Us."
Keivonn's role and personality has only
helped him grow into stardom.
He was even able to meet Washington
Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin at a Caps
practice in February.
He hugg ed Ovechkin and was given an
autographed stick.
"It was shocking when I met Ovie," Keivonn
said. "I was in disbelief. A lot of people don't
get that opportunity. I definitely feel hon-
ored. He is one of my favorite players."
These days, Keivonn is a blossoming actor.
No matter where he goes, people ask him for
autographs and selfies. It was difficult at first
because he was really shy. But he says he's
gotten used to the attention.
There might be more conflicts with hock-
ey as his acting career moves forward, but
Keivonn sees hockey as his priority. "My goal
is to play in the NHL and for the Washington
Capitals," Keivonn concluded. "I would play
my games and then go act on the side in the
offseason. When I am finished with hockey, I
would focus all my time on acting."
Until then, he'll continue to balance his two
passions as best he can.
P
Nate Croney (left)
has not only helped
as an ASL interpreter
for Keivonn Woodard,
but he has become
an important coach
as well.
Introducing Keivonn Woodard of The Last of Us
V I D E O |
