Local Hockey Team Helps Teach Kids With Disabilities
BETHEL PARK (KDKA)- John Stevenson's sons, Tobias and Machaiah, play for the Pittsburgh Emperors, a team whose primary goal is teaching kids with developmental delays and disabilities the sport of hockey.
Stevenson, president of the Pittsburgh Emperors hockey team, also says, "It's benefitted them as far as their social skills. They actually have a group of friends now. The hockey team is their friends."
Players range from five-to-adult. No checking is allowed. Nevertheless, Stevenson says, "Things happen. I mean, kids get knocked down, kids fall. They're just learning how to do this. And everybody is welcome. There's no skill level required. Everybody has to play."
"You actually interact with the people that are your teammates, so they eventually get to know you better," says his son, Tobias. "And they become your friends."
"Help people when they fall," his brother Machaiah adds. "Help new skaters skate. Give some people confidence, now and then."
Hockey is a very expensive sport, from the uniforms, equipment and to ice time. The goal of the Emperors is to get enough in contributions and other sources, so the parents don't have to pay a dime.
The Emperors are one of ten teams competing for votes on a national website in a five-week contest that ends Dec. 4. A win would be huge.
"The winning team has a chance of winning $10,000," John Stevenson says.
The second place team takes home $5,000. That's a lot of uniforms. It also takes a lot of votes on the web.
To vote, click here.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
