Maurice drops the puck!
by Maurice
March 10, 2010 was a historic day for the Easter Seals Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research.
Staff, students and patrons were on hand for the official grand opening of the Chicago Wolves School Library. From the Chicago Wolves web site:
The library, located at Easter Seals Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research, was made possible by funds raised through the Wolves’ annual St. Patrick’s Day jersey auction and raffle. The Chicago Wolves Library is part of the country’s first-ever, state-of-the-art, Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research.
The festivities featured many personalities from the Wolves, former players Bob Nardella, Steve Martins and Skates, the team mascot. Students assisted the players on cutting the ribbon to officially open the library. Then they were entertained with the players reading wonderful stories of books from the library. The Chicago Wolves School Library is a huge success and will be an essential learning tool for the students at the Therapeutic School.
Two days after the library grand opening I had the opportunity to attend a Chicago Wolves game with some of my other co-workers at the Therapeutic School. What was the most special about the evening was that I had the opportunity to drop the ceremonial puck in front of thousands of spectators. I have to admit that it gave me goose bumps at first because I never had the opportunity of playing an important role in the game of hockey or any other major sporting event.
Here’s what happened: the public address announcer announced my name. I slowly walked on the red carpet. I could have heard a pin drop. A few seconds later, I successfully dropped the puck firmly onto the ice. The crowd gave me a standing ovation! I received applause from the crowd and the players, which was absolutely the best feeling in the world.
Unfortunately for the Wolves, they lost the game 3 to 0, but it was a good game until the very end. After the game, I had the opportunity to wait outside the locker room and meet the players and get some of their autographs. In the end, I received a cool gift, which is the actual hockey stick Noah Welch uses in his games. That was the most surreal moment in my life indeed!
I have to admit it was the first hockey game I experienced in person, and I had a great time dropping the puck in front of thousands of people. I would like to thank the Chicago Wolves for their continual support to Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. I hope they will continue to be involved in Easter Seals services for many years to come!
March 30th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
It gave me goose bumps because I thought I would be in the middle of a pregame altercation (LOL). Overall, I enjoyed the experience of dropping the puck. The Wolves players were cool and had one of the coolest jerseys (St. Patrick’s Day) in hockey! This was most certainly the awesome experience I’ve ever got to witness in real life!
March 30th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Love the photo.
March 30th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Maurice, you are awesome.
You think maybe you had goose bumps because it was cold there on the ice?!
Great post.