To the Editor:

The Fort Drum Mountain Warriors Sled Hockey team would like to thank the North Country community for their overwhelming support of the 4th Annual Wounded Warrior/Fort Drum Mountain Warrior Sled Hockey Tournament in March. Teams who traveled to the North Country from Buffalo, Syracuse, Kingston, Ottawa and Durham were once again warmly welcomed with support coming from many local businesses, organizations and individuals.

The Mountain Warriors Sled Hockey Team was founded five years ago when it was discovered that many returning wounded soldiers didn’t have access to activities to allow them to stay active while they adjusted to life with an injury or disability. With the help of USA Hockey, the four local colleges and many generous businesses and community members, equipment was donated or purchased to field the first Mountain Warriors Sled Hockey team. Sled hockey is an adaptive sport where the athlete is seated on two blades mounted under the sled. The athlete propels him/herself using two modified hockey sticks with picks on the bottom. It is every bit as action packed and physical as a traditional hockey game.

Presenting sponsors VFW Post #1231 in Canton, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Donaldson Funeral Home of Massena, SUNY Canton, Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley and the Knights of Columbus in Canton worked collectively to secure sponsorships and donations to lessen the financial burden of the players and their families by providing them with five meals throughout the weekend. Subway located in Canton and Kunoco Stores donated subs and chips for players as they caught lunch between games at the Roo’s House on Friday afternoon.

A spaghetti dinner was hosted by the Knights of Columbus after games concluded for the day. Chad Green of Donaldson Funeral home, with the help of Wayne and Nancy Green cooked pound after pound of spaghetti and the Canton Blades youth hockey team served salad, sauce and meatballs provided by Sergi’s in Canton.

Beverages for the dinner were provided by Boyden Brook Body Works, happily served by Jan Morgan. The staff at the Hampton Inn, Potsdam rolled out the red carpet for all players and family members staying there for the weekend. They were warmly welcomed with gift baskets and all needs were more than accommodated.

With games continuing on Saturday, players enjoyed a lunch of salad, pizza and wings provided by Sergi’s and Josie’s Little Pizzeria in Canton. During the lunch break, spectators enjoyed the opportunity to try a sled and skate with some of the players. Those who tried the sled were able to experience the determination these athletes have to continue pursuing athletics in spite of a disability. With any team sport there is a great sense of belonging, but the camaraderie shared among sled hockey players is unlike any other. At the conclusion of games on Saturday, players and their families were welcomed to the VFW Post #1231 in Canton for a wonderful prime rib dinner sponsored by Save-A-Lot and the HAC Memorial Tournament, Tim Hunt cooked the meat to perfection. The Ladies Auxiliary assisted by providing side dishes and staff of Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley volunteered as wait staff.

The following businesses sponsored events and game intermissions throughout the tournament: Canton- Potsdam Hospital; Donaldson Funeral Home; Massena Savings and Loan; N.K Bhandari Architecture & Engineering, P.C.; VFW Post #1231; Potsdam Elks 2074; Seacomm Federal Credit Union; North Country Insurance Agency; Boyden Brook Body Works; Bronson Service Corporation; J.C Merriman Inc.; Mort Backus and Sons; St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union; S&L Electric; Gouverneur Savings and Loan; Earl J. Santimaw VFW Post 1143 Ladies Auxiliary; Aubertine and Currier; American Legion Colon Couch Post 821; Stacey Howlett, D.D.S.; Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338; Car Freshener Corporation; DeKalb AMVETS Post 11; Hoosier Magnetics and the Watertown Fire Department.

Throughout the tournament spectators had the opportunity to support the Mountain Warriors team by bidding on silent auction items generously donated by local businesses and individuals. Through event sponsorships, donations, raffles and the silent auction, more than $10,000 was raised to support the Fort Drum Mountain Warriors Sled Hockey Team at this year’s tournament. In the brief existence of the team, the lives of the wounded soldiers have been touched significantly. Getting this team started and keeping it going would be impossible anywhere but here. On behalf of the Fort Drum Mountain Warriors, thank you to each and every individual, business, group, spectator and community member who has supported us. We hope you will join us for a game next year during the first weekend of March!

Mark McKenna

Head Coach, Fort Drum Mountain Warriors