US National Sled Team Steps Up to Help Military Sled Program – USA Hockey

I think were fortunate to be in the spot that were in, and were treated awfully well, Hoff said. There are a lot of guys who have paved the way for our guys to have it as good as they do right now in terms of the way were treated. To me, its part of our responsibility.

Hoff said that Woodke and Dodson were part of the charity game, but they also hung around an extra day and sat with players from the WFLF Sled Hockey Program.

Our guys sat down with each of their players and talked to them about equipment, Hoff said. They were giving ideas on how they could fine-tune their sleds and other hints. Our guys were just like them at some point trying to figure everything out, so I hope the impact helped them become better sled players. That was one of our goals.

Hoff recalled a tender moment between Dodson and a young boy.

He was telling him how he really needs to take care of his blades underneath his sled, Hoff said. All of the sudden, I saw Travis reach into his bag and pulled out a USA Hockey blade cover, he put it on the kids sled and the kid was just ecstatic. For Travis, it was probably no big deal, but for the kid, it was a big gesture. It definitely had USA Hockey on it, too, so it was something pretty cool for that young boy to get.

Hoff, Woodke and Dodson arrived a day before the charity event took place. Woodke and Dodson are both retired Marines, and the group received an opportunity to visit the Navy SEAL training base and several teams.

Hoff and Croley spoke of the mutual respect displayed between both groups.

It got emotional in the hallway, Croley said. [Woodke and Dodson] had been in the same places we had been. We kind of stomped the same ground together.

Now, the two groups are stomping the same ground again. Only this time, its in an effort to promote and grow the game of sled hockey.

Were kind of a fledging sled hockey program down here, and to have those guys come down with the talent level that they have, just really created a lot of energy, Croley said. It was very impressive. Theyre great ambassadors for the sled hockey program, and I cant say enough for the way those guys represented the U.S. national team.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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US National Sled Team Steps Up to Help Military Sled Program - USA Hockey