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JUNE 2025 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 35 2025 U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM John O'Connell put his love for hockey on hold to pursue a career as a U.S. Air Force pilot following high school. Later in his career, O'Connell relocated from Michigan to San Antonio, Texas, and started the Armed Forces Hockey Team, allowing him to skate and play alongside his fellow airmen. After 20 years as a commercial airline pilot, a condi- tion caused him to lose his vision abruptly and ended his flying career, but he once again found a home at the hockey rink after doctors told him that people with vision loss who participate in sports are less likely to suffer from balance problems. O'Connell is a member of USA Hockey's Warrior and Blind hockey disciplines, playing on the New Jersey Warriors and with New York Metro Blind Hockey. In 2024, at the USA Hockey Warrior National Championship, O'Connell and his New Jersey Warriors teammates went unbeaten to take home the Tier 5 National Championship. Off the ice, O'Connell twice appeared before the New Jersey State Senate to push legislature that would provide transportation for veterans who need help to get to appointments, run errands, or get to the hock- ey rink. He was also appointed to the New Jersey Commission for the Blind State Rehabilitation Council and was elected to the board of directors for the Blinded Veterans Association, for which he a mem- ber of the Adaptive Sports and Recreation Committee. The 2025 U.S. Men's National Team posted a 7-2-0-1 ( W- OTW- OTL-L) record on the way to winning the first IIHF Men's World Championship for the U.S. since 1933. Tage Thompson tallied the golden goal just 2:02 into 3-on-3 overtime to lift Team USA over Switzerland, 1-0, in the gold-med- al game on May 25 in Stockholm, Sweden. Jeremy Swayman backstopped the U.S. in net, posting a 25-save shutout. The U.S. was led offensively in the tourna- ment by Frank Nazar with six goals and six assists, and Logan Cooley, who recorded four goals and eight assists. 2025 U.S. Men's National Team Bob Johnson Award John O'Connell Disabled Athlete of the Year Dr. Dennis Sullivan has served USA Hockey and the sport at large for multiple decades. He has been the team physician for 25 international tournaments for Team USA since 1999. Sullivan has also served as the team physician for two American Hockey League teams. He first worked with the Maine Mariners between 1987-1992 before holding the same role with the Portland Pirates from 1993-2010. His dedication to safety in the sport of hockey was highlighted when he served as a member of the AHL's working group on mandatory face shields in the league. The Portland, Maine, native has worked in orthopedic surgery at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center since 1986. Sullivan joined Central Maine Health Orthopedics in 2024, which is part of Central Maine Health system based in Lewiston, Maine. Dr. Dennis Sullivan Dr. Alan Ashare Excellence In Safety Award Click to read more Click to read more on O'Connell Click to read more on Sullivan