GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A very special hockey game is set to take place Sunday at the Patterson Ice Center in partnership with the West Michigan Special Hockey Association.
The WMSHA Patriots are a hockey team for people with disabilities.
On Sunday, the Patriots will play on the ice in a real game alongside the Caledonia and Forest Hills Central hockey teams. The event was organized by Phil Raduazo.
The teams will play for the Patriot Cup. Patriots player Dakota Tomac hopes it becomes an annual tradition to make people feel special.
"Having the opportunity to play for Caledonia, I get the chance to actually wear a hockey jersey," Caledonia senior Dakota Tomac said.
Dakota, like many kids participating on Sunday, loves sports but has been unable to play them. He particularly enjoys keeping up with all of the sports teams at Caledonia High School. Now, there will be someone taking his stats when he suits up on the ice.
"Dakota has been involved in so many sports at Caledonia," Dakota's mom Angel Tomac said. "He does a lot of stats for sports, but he has never been actually able to play a sport because of his cerebral palsy. For him to be able to put on a Caledonia jersey and play for Caledonia, it makes me tear up every time I think about it."
The Patriot Cup is bringing out the big guns. Griffins public address announcer Eric Zane will also announce the game.
The game will be at 3 p.m. at the Patterson Ice Center on Sunday. There will be a chuck-a-puck and a 50-50 raffle. All money raised will be split between the Patriots, Caledonia and Forest Hills Central.
Tickets are $5 for adults. Admission is free for kids.
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