Greetings!
Lights! Camera! Sled Hockey ACTION! - STARskaters.org Sled Hockey program received some very nice coverage from Winston Dutchin and KPRC-TV2. View the story here.
Our therapeutic ice skating program is also receiving national attention thanks to BL Wylie and US Figure Skating. A version of this video will be presented to over 800 skating professionals at a national conference.
Thanks to Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center and everyone who played, volunteered and attended our 3 on 3 fundraiser on April 16th. We raised enough money to buy 3 new sleds for our Sled Hockey program as well as special skates and equipment for our Saturday therapeutic skates. Read details on this and more in this newsletter.
Now, anyone can hold an online eBay fundraiser thanks to MissionFish, we've added the ability for anyone to hold an eBay auction with the proceeds to benefit STARskaters. See the article below for details.
In addition to our special needs skating lessons and Sled Hockey team development we also host STAR skates for groups. If you have a special needs group and would like more information, contact us at skate@STARskaters.org
We'll see you on the ice!
Sincerely,
Jim ONeill
STARskaters.org
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Sled Hockey at Ice Skate USA
Memorial City Ice Rink Donates Practice Ice Time
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Photo by Fred Trask
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Sled Hockey Saturdays! Thanks to a generous donation of ice time from Ice Skate USA at Memorial City Mall, sled hockey now has a regular Saturday morning ice slot from 10am-11am.
At left, Ice Skate USA GM Carl Sasyn chats with US Olympic Sled Hockey gold medal Lonnie Hannah who was on hand to work out and share his experience with the Houston sled players.
Sasyn, also a former professional hockey player and current ice hockey official regularly donates his time to put the sled players through skills and drills practices. For more information on Sled Hockey, check out the Video, Audio & Social Media section of this newsletter, visit www.STARskaters.org or contact us at sledhockey@STARskaters.org
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KPRC Sled Hockey Coverage
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Photo by Fred Trask
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March 13th was Sled Hockey Day in Houston, starting off at Ice Skate USA at Memorial City Mall where past and current members of the US Olympic team Lonnie Hannah and Jen Lee (in red at right) were on hand to scrimmage with Houston sled hockey players.
Then the fun moved to the Toyota Center where the teams put on a Sled Hockey exhibition between periods at the Houston AEROS game.
Channel 2's Winston Dutchin was on hand and filed this video report on KPRC's Sports Sunday program. For more information on Sled Hockey, check out the videos in the Video, Audio and Social Links section of this newsletter, or visit www.STARskaters.org |
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Special Needs Skating Lessons
Saturdays at Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center
 There are over 1,000 US Figure Skating programs across the US, but Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center is one of very few programs to have added the new Therapeutic Skating Program which is led by BL Wylie.
However, that may soon change. BL is headed to a national conference to present a video about the therapeutic ice skating program in Sugar Land. Her goal is to encourage more rinks to add a therapeutic skating to their programs.
BL Wylie and her staff of U.S. Figure Skating trained instructors teach the Basic Skills Therapeutic Curriculum which offers the opportunity to achieve specified skills through a set of 14 carefully constructed levels. In addition to the excitement of learning new things each class, newly designed badges can be earned to signify success at each new skill level.
The program and B.L. Wylie were recently featured in an article in U.S. Figure Skating "Club Spotlight". Click here to read the article. If you know of someone who could benefit from this special needs skating program, or for more information, contact BL@STARskaters.org |
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3 on 3 Tournament Results
 | | Midget Champs - Hurricanes |
Thanks again to all participants, parents and volunteers who made the 2011 STARskaters.or 3 on 3 Tournament our most successful event to date.
Below is a listing of all of the divisional and goalie champion results, click here for more photos from the tournament.
GOALIES:
While a 3 on 3 tournament is challenging for ALL players, it is especially so for Goalies who are effectively defending a 15 minute power play. Thanks to all goalies who participated, and making this tournament possible.
IRONMAN / IRON WOMAN Awards
 | | Brandon Lyne and Karen Wittenberg |
Brandon Lyne was between the pipes for EIGHT games in total in both the Midget and Senior division and received praises from players at all levels for his performance.
Karen Wittenberg wins the IronWoman award, playing goal in several levels of play and a total of six games, and coming in second in the goals against allowing just 3.8 per game.
For the first time, one goalie won both awards with Matthew Grenier allowing an average of just 2 goals per game to win the Goalie Goals Against award, and his .883 save percentage secured him as the top goalie in Save Percentages as well.
The top goalies by category were:
Top Goals Against: Grenier 2.0, Wittenberg, 3.8, Gukhool, 4.25, Caiti 4.3 and Miller 4.6.
Top Save %: Grenier .883, Wittenberg .847, Gukhool, .843, Price .824 and Penn, .810.
 | | Squirt Champs - The Sharks |
Squirt
Each team played each other in a round robin with the Sharks scored a division high 9 goals and edging out the Scorpions to claim first place in the Squirt division.
Five Pee Wee teams battled in a series of head to head matches to determine the Champion. In the end, the Stars winning 3 of their 4 games totaling 6 points to edge out Team Blue who claimed 5 points in the tournament.
This was a very fun division to watch with fast action and great skill from the players and goalies. In the end, the Hurricanes completed their undefeated quest for first place with a 5-2 win over TKO.
The Spacemen went undefeated and defeated the Capitals in 4-2 in to take the crown for the more "experienced" players.
The Euro-Trash squeaked out a 4-3 win over the LaMBs. There will be a post tournament DNA test on the EuroTrash to determine which player actually allowed them to qualfy for the Co-Ed division.
Two 3 on 3 "first-timer" teams, Wonder Weasels and Bottom Feeders battle for the novice crown with the Weasels squirming to a 5-2 victory.
As always, the Ice-Hole Boys provided a lot of spirited competition, ending their championship game in a shootout. DP& the Geezers went undefeated and as always with the Ice-Holes...everyone is a winner. Thanks to Gene Gilstrap for organizing this fun-to-watch division.
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Ebay Fundraiser for STARskaters
Bid on our items, or hold your own eBay auction!
 Many individuals and companies have generously donated items to help STARskaters raise the money needed to operate our programs. These items are then listed on eBay to allow bidders from Houston and around the USA to bid on the items. Items are generally sports related and are updated regularly online. If you'd like to see what's is currently available for bidding, go to: http://myworld.ebay.com/starskaters
If you'd like to hold your OWN auction on eBay to benefit STARskaters, CLICK HERE to learn more.
And, if you have an item you'd like to donate, contact us at donate@STARskaters.org
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New STAR Brochure Available
Online PDF available by clicking here
Look for the 2011 STARskaters brochure at area ice rinks, at sponsor locations and the Toyota Center at the STARskaters.org table at most Houston AEROS games.
Inside, you'll read about the history of Sled Hockey and learn more about STARskaters programs:
- Special needs skating lessons.
- Sled Hockey.
- STAR Skate events.
You can also read more about how you can get involved in the STARskaters program as a volunteer, donor or organizing a STAR Skate for groups with special needs.
If you would like a supply of brochures shipped to you, contact jim@STARskaters.org
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About STARskaters.org
STARskaters mission is to provide an on ice skating experience for therapy and recreation for children and adults with any special needs, and to support SLED HOCKEY in Houston. The program is open to anyone five years of age or older who would normally be unable to enjoy an on-ice skating experience due to their disability. STARskaters.org is public charity registered in Texas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Tax ID number 26-1657556. All donations are tax deductible. 
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Sponsor Links
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*YOUR COMPANY HERE*
For more information, contact sponsor@STARskaters.org
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STAR Supporter
Dafonte Orthotics and Prosthetics
STARskaters would like to thank our newest sponsor, Dafonte Orthotics and Prosthetics whose recent generous donation enabled us to add new ice hockey sleds for our Sled Hockey program.
Dafonte is dedicated to serving individuals with limb loss while they gain the opportunity to experience life to the fullest. And, the rapidly growing sport of Sled Hockey fits well with that mission.
Dafonte offers prosthetic services for all levels of amputation and create custom prosthetics at their in-house fabrication lab.
"The Sled Hockey program is an excellent recreational activity for our clients" commented Brandee Wiseman Dafonte, President of Dafonte Orthotics. "The sport offers not only excellent physical benefits, but there is a great social benefit for the participants as well."
STARskaters is pleased to add Dafonte as a sponsor and looks forward to working with them and their clients in all of the STARskaters on-ice programs.
If you'd information on becoming a STARskaters sponsor, contact us at: sponsor@STARskaters.org |
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STAR Volunteer
Catherine Sickorez
Now in her second year as a STARskaters volunteer, Catherine's job and hobbies make her an excellent volunteer candidate.
Catherine is a Physical Therapist at Christus St. John Sports Medicine, and she also plays hockey in the women's league at Space City Ice Station.
Catherine was first introduced to STAR skaters while volunteering for a school project, and had these comments about her volunteer work. "STARskaters is a wonderful organization that is passionate about bringing skating and hockey to everyone. It is a joy to volunteer for STAR."
We're pleased to have Catherine as a regular volunteer and want to publicly issue a big THANK YOU for the donation of her time, effort and experience to help advance the STARskaters.org programs.
If you'd like to get involved, contact us at volunteer@STARskaters.org
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