A Summer of Inclusive Hockey
Hockey Mentors for Special Players, a nonprofit founded by Wyatt Lucas, is set to host two adaptive hockey events this summer that bring together media personalities, veterans and community members in a celebration of inclusive sport.
The first event, a Media vs. Veterans Sled Hockey Showcase, will be held on June 25 at Suburban Ice in Rochester Hills. Running from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the beginner‑friendly game pairs journalists with military veterans on sleds, offering a fun and accessible introduction to adaptive hockey.
Lucas explained that the showcase serves a dual purpose: it raises visibility for adaptive athletics and builds momentum toward the organization’s flagship gathering later in the month.
On July 11, Hockey Mentors will host a larger adaptive skating and hockey day at the Buffalo Wild Wings Arena in Troy. The event expects 250 to 300 participants, including individuals with mobility challenges, and will feature adaptive skating support, sled hockey opportunities, open ice time, meals and exhibition scrimmages.
Beyond the competition, the program emphasizes confidence‑building and community connection. Participants of all experience levels are invited to step onto the ice, try new equipment and experience the camaraderie that hockey can foster.
Both events underscore the nonprofit’s mission to provide free adaptive skating and hockey opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans, reinforcing the idea that the sport can be adapted to suit any ability.