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Ice Boltz peewees do a good deed for Shooting Stars special needs team

'It’s really fun to help the Shooting Stars learn hockey and to see how happy they are on the ice'
20200203 Ice Boltz and Shooting Stars
Photo submitted.

A recent partnership between the North Bay PeeWee B Ice Boltz and the Shooting Stars is reaping huge rewards for players on both teams- both on-and off-the-ice.

The Ice Boltz team, coached by Chris Olsen and comprised of 17 girls between 11 and 13 years, has been volunteering on the ice with the Shooting Stars, a beginner hockey program for children aged 6 to 13 with special needs.

Ice Boltz players attend Shooting Stars practices to provide on-ice assistance to the young players who are just learning to skate and acquire beginner hockey skills.

The teams also recently got together for a post-practice pizza party, sponsored by True North Chevrolet.

“It’s really fun to help the Shooting Stars learn hockey and to see how happy they are on the ice,” said Ice Boltz Captain Ava Jessup.

“We’ve met some really nice kids.”

The partnership started as the Ice Boltz team was looking to give back to the community, encouraged by the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, which seeks to inspire young Canadians to do good by transforming the positive values learned through hockey into Good Deeds within their communities.

At the same time, the Shooting Stars, who are coached by Dave Nadeau and affiliated with the North Stars, were actively seeking volunteer assistance for their program.

“Having the Ice Boltz volunteer their time and efforts has allowed us to take on five new special needs skaters this season. We are very grateful,” said Shooting Stars Coach Dave Nadeau.

The Ice Boltz and Shooting Stars have discovered that these good deeds will have a lasting impact. They’ve made new friends; they are learning and practicing understanding, acceptance, and inclusiveness; more kids are growing their passion for skating and developing a love of hockey; and, they are building a better, stronger North Bay community.

“This has been a great experience for our team,” said Coach Olsen.

“Our Ice Boltz are so excited for this opportunity to give back by sharing their love of hockey with the Shooting Stars.”