Sled hockey tournament comes to West Dundee
Even though he's no longer able to send a slap shot soaring into the net, ice hockey is still life for J.J. O'Connor.
The Mount Prospect resident, 28, was paralyzed at 16 by a hockey accident that left him with a broken neck.
Making sure others facing physical challenges can get the ice time he loves, O'Connor organized this weekend's Midwest Adult Sled Hockey tournament at the new Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee.
O'Connor, a spokesman for the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois disabled players division and a motivational speaker, had worked with the Leafs Ice Centre for fundraising events in the past.
"J.J. called me about this, and said 'Do you think the rink could do this?' " ice center president Mike Durkin said.
"Not too many sled hockey tournaments do occur -- and with our own a handicapped- accessible rink, we're trying to (change that)," Durkin said.
The brand-new $20 million facility features four rinks, one of which is specially outfitted for sled hockey players and handicapped fans.
Benches are not elevated, but flush with the ice. Clear Lexon plastic separates players from the rink, so they're not forced to peer over boards.
"We're one of four rinks in the country who have that," said Durkin, also noting disabled lifts to the mezzanine levels and a dedicated platform for disabled viewing at center ice.
This weekend's tournament features six teams from Minnesota, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois. Players with a range of disabilities sit on the aluminum sleds, using two shortened sticks with metal picks on the end to maneuver across the ice.
A number of teams feature veterans wounded in the Iraq war, O'Connor said. "The team coming from Texas has quite a few wounded warriors -- and they have a two-star general that would go out and help them practice," he said.
Like ice hockey, fans can count on sled hockey being physical, O'Connor said.
"Hitting is permitted as much as it is in hockey, if not more," he said. "These players have hardware -- not only are they throwing their own body weight (at an opponent), but they're throwing an aluminum sled."
Though O'Connor lacks the upper body strength to take part in the game himself, he describes watching others "as bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter."
"It always flickers in the back of my mind … wow, it would be nice to be out there playing," O'Connor said. "But I'm just thrilled for this weekend. I can't wait to see these players," he said.
Though O'Connor doesn't know it yet, he will soon take a permanent place on the ice at the Leafs Ice Centre.
The surprise will be unveiled this evening, Durkin said. "I don't know what he's gonna do," Durkin said. I hope he'll love it."
Midwest Adult Sled Hockey Tournament
When: 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Leafs Ice Centre, 801 Wesemann Drive, West Dundee
Info: www.leafsicecentre.com