Hockey

Students from Newark’s JFK School Tapped for the Inaugural Sled Hockey Program

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[Newark, NJ – November 16, 2021]  In partnership with the City of Newark’s Recreation Department, USA Hockey, the New Jersey Devils and Hockey In NJ (Newark), students from John F. Kennedy School will participate in the first ever Sled Hockey Program in Newark. 

JFK is a middle-secondary special education school that offers specialized curriculum for students with multiple disabilities and moderate cognitive involvement.

Sled Hockey provides opportunities for many types of disabilities for recreation/competitions at the local level all the way to the Paralympics. Players sit in specially designed sleds that sit on top of two hockey skate blades.

Each child will receive a donated sled and a full set of equipment this Saturday, November 20th at the 11th annual USA Hockey Sled Classic, presented by the NHL at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne, New Jersey.  

Superintendent Roger León said, “We are excited at this unique opportunity in establishing our very own NBOE Sled Hockey Program at JFK because this sets the stage to one day celebrate our very own Paralympian.”

JFK students, along with other students from the community who want to play, will be part of the Newark Board of Education’s (NBOE) Inaugural Sled Hockey Program, where they will practice at the James/Gibson Ice Hockey Rink in Newark, NJ. 

 “As the principal of JFK, I am so excited about this opportunity of a lifetime for our students, they will be able to live our school motto and show the world that there are No Limits to What We Can Do” remarked Jill Summers.

Pat Council of Newark’s Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services shares in the superintendent’s excitement, “The City is always excited to partner with the Newark Board of Education on initiatives that are inclusive to all communities that we serve and look forward to the partnership with JFK and the students they serve”

“The addition of Sled Hockey in Hockey in NJ’s (Newark) programming led by Dennis Ruppe and Keith Veltre proves once again that hockey is making great inroads in providing equity and access that allows more kids to participate.”  stated Dan Brennan of Director of USA Hockey Sled National Teams.

For more information, please contact:

Nancy J. Deering
Board Relations, Director
Communications, Acting Director
973-733-6265 (office)

MSG BMW Youth Hockey Stories: Justin Hayward – Hockey in New Jersey

MSG's BMW Youth Hockey Stories takes a look at Hockey in New Jersey's Justin Hayward. Justin, a sophomore at Newark East Side High School, details the daily life of being a hockey player in the City of Newark.

NBOE Student Athletes Show Their Skills on the Ice

Newark Board of Education student-athletes, Steven Ruas (Science Park) & Pablo Garcia (East Side), took part of the National Hockey League’s Willie O’Ree Skills Weekend in Philadelphia on 2/22 – 2/24. Each were chosen for their abilities on and off the ice, serving as leaders for the Hockey in New Jersey program, and East Side Hockey team in Newark.

Participants from NHL Hockey is for Everyone programs across North America converged on Philadelphia to take part in on-ice skills competitions, games, and off-ice educational activities. The weekend is named after Hockey Hall of Famer, and NHL Hockey is for Everyone ambassador, Willie O’Ree, the first black player to play in the National Hockey League.

Highlights included being able to meet the legend, Willie O’Ree, and interact with the Stanley Cup.

On Saturday evening the Newark duo were 2 of 70,000 spectators to take in the NHL Stadium Series outdoor game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, played at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field.

Jasmine Thomas, East Side High School

Jasmine Thomas, East Side Hockey
Born and raised in Newark, Jasmine is a 2017 graduate of Newark Vocational High School at West Side Campus. Prior to attending Newark Vocational, Jasmine attended Speedway Avenue School, now Speedway Academies, for elementary school. When Jasmine reached high school, she was initially interested in playing soccer; however, when she was approached by the East Side High School athletic director to play hockey, she immediately jumped on the unique and historic opportunity in front of her. The only African American on her team, Jasmine played hockey for East Side High School for four years as a goalie. She is also a member of Hockey In New Jersey (HNJ), an organization that inspires youth to develop life skills, succeed academically and create positive relationships through the sport of hockey. In addition to playing on the HNJ’s girls hockey team, she also serves as a mentor and volunteer for younger participants in the program across Newark, Englewood, and Jersey City. Moving forward, Jasmine hopes to continue to provide assistance in recruiting more girls to join both hockey programs.

This year, Jasmine is one of four recipients of the 2017 New Jersey Devils Alumni Association Academic Scholarship, receiving $1,000 that she plans to utilize to pay for her college expenses. She will be attending Essex County College in the fall, with plans to transfer to Montclair State University where she will major in education and play college ice hockey, hoping to ultimately become a Child Life Specialist and work with children who are hospitalized. As Jasmine embarks on the next chapter of her educational journey, she has left short but powerful advice for her fellow classmates, which embodies her own story both on and off the ice: “Don’t be afraid to be different. Leave your mark.”

NHL Tonight: 2016 World Cup of Hockey Roster Announcement Show

NHL-Network

Eight NPS Hockey Players appeared live on NHL Network to take part in the NHL Tonight: 2016 World Cup of Hockey Roster Announcement Show. Each student represented one of the 8 World Cup teams and wore the jersey from that team during the show as the rosters were being discussed. They also discussed the Hockey In NJ program. In addition to having a boys’ hockey team NPS also had an ALL girls’ hockey team as well.


Daniel King, student at East Side High School is featured in this video.

Cory’s Keepers

CorysKids
New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider recently launched “Cory’s Keepers,” a new initiative where the Devils starting goaltender hosts students and veterans at NJ Devils home games at the Prudential Center.

Invitees sit behind the net for the game, are provided with t-shirts and then meet Cory after the game.

The initiative kicked off on December 6, 2015 with 20 students from the Newark Public School’s East Side High School Boys and Girls Hockey teams and the Hockey In Newark Program who attended the game as well as a meet and greet with Cory.

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