Revier has played with the U.S. Standing Amputee team for close to a decade. He initially played with the team as a teenager, then went to college and returned following graduation. Henry said the team just met Linsz for the first time in person at the tournament.
“The most important part, with any of these players, is when they walk into the room, and you’re in a room where everybody else in there has something going on, you no longer look at yourself as different,” Henry said. “Being in a hockey locker room is one thing, but being in a room for the first time ever with like-minded players is unique … Everybody is the same, and it’s the first pure moment that these guys realize there’s no limitations. They enjoy the process of knowing that they’re not alone.”
Revier played three games and allowed five goals on 46 shots for a 2.32 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage. Linsz appeared in two games, giving up one goal on 16 shots for a 1.22 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.
Linsz is a standout on the Kenston High School (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) hockey team, while Revier, through his time with the group, has experience playing internationally.
“It has been a pleasure working with both of them because they’re such good kids,” Henry said. “They work very hard at their game. Both are excellent goaltenders and will do whatever you ask.”
In the past, Henry said there would be two or three camps, the festival and then a world championship event. He hopes to build to that again in the future.
Until then, the main goal is to promote a culture of understanding and inclusion.
“In the end, what it’s really about is giving these guys a chance to walk into a locker room with people in the same situation and to realize that you’re far from alone,” Henry said. “There’s a certain camaraderie and then you build friendships. You get a chance to communicate and learn from each other.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
