Adapted Floor Hockey State Tournament Special For Kids, Parents

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Adapted Floor Hockey State Tournament is this weekend at Bloomington Jefferson High School, and like its predecessor last weekend on the ice, it's quite a draw.

WCCO-TV's David McCoy took in the action on Friday and shows us why it's such a big deal for the kids playing in it, and for their parents watching it.

From a spectator's standpoint, this is still the state of hockey.

"It's hockey. It's Minnesota," Brian Evilsizer said.

Go figure, floor hockey draws the biggest crowds in adapted sports. The sport attracts about 1,800 to nearly 2,000 fans. And it's a crowd that understands well, what most of us don't: What it's like to have a kid with special needs.

"It is challenging but very rewarding as well," Cari Mohler of Rochester said.

Her son, Calvin, is a freshman for Rochester. Brian and Coreen Evilsizer's son, Justin, plays for Wayzata/Minnetonka.

"It's fun to see him having so much fun and enjoying it," Coreen Evilsizer said.

Both boys have their challenges, and a passion for hockey unmatched by anything else in their lives.

"They love it. Calvin lives for it," Mohler said.

Look up in that big crowd and you start to understand what this means not just to the kids but to the parents. It's much more than just a sporting event.

"This is a huge part of life," Mohler said. "It's not just about the sport at all. I would say that's the least of the of the big picture."

The picture you get if instead of watching the kids, you watch the parents watch the kids.

"They're awesome, awesome kids. A blast to be around," Mohler said.