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Nice on the ice: Bethel Park hockey players continue annual tradition

By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 2 min read
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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Defenseman Ryan McLinden takes Alana Martinez around the rink, as Coach Jim McVay chronicles the proceedings.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Forward Dimitri Geronimos and Nathan Lawton

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Cara Stromberg and defenseman Jacob Lang

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Forward Tyler Miller and Shawna Palmer

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Defenseman Tommy Worcester and Alec Graham

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Christine Danchik with forward Jeffrey Bele

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Everyone seems to be enjoying his or her time on the ice at Spencer Family YMCA.

Talk about a hectic morning.

“I was actually just in Hershey about three hours ago,” Connor Price said, “and I drove home so I could be here for the skate.”

Harry Funk/The Almanac

Harry Funk/The Almanac

Forward Sean Maerkle with Abraham Matasewski

The senior defenseman on the Bethel Park High School varsity hockey team no doubt took somewhat longer than that to reach the Spencer Family YMCA on Feb. 22, but he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss what has become an annual tradition.

For 19 years, adaptive physical education teacher Linda Graney and hockey head Coach Jim McVay have arranged for his players to participate in an activity during which they pair up with students who have special needs for a good time on the ice for everyone.

“It’s a wonderful day for the children,” Graney said. “We don’t look at the disability. We look at all the abilities. Some of my kids can skate, because their parents bring them to facilities like this. Others don’t, so we put them in chairs and the players take them around the ice.”

The students, who attend Bethel Park’s Washington Elementary and Neil Armstrong Middle schools, thoroughly enjoyed whizzing around the YMCA rink. And the hockey players thoroughly enjoyed the morning, as well.

Harry Funk/The Almanac

Harry Funk/The Almanac

Christine Danchik enjoys her experience with Jeffrey Bele.

“It’s just a great experience, seeing how happy all the kids get and knowing that we can help impact their lives,” team captain Vincent Vituccio said. “It’s a heartwarming feeling, and it’s something that you can’t get anywhere else besides Bethel Park hockey, because no other team does this.”

Vituccio, by the way, was named the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League’s Player of the Month in Varsity Class AAA for January, with the senior forward scoring three goals and an assist during the Blackhawks’ 5-0 run during the month.

Jeffrey Bele, another senior forward, also appreciates the opportunity to spend time with the younger students.

“Every single one of these kids is basically part of Bethel Park hockey, just like us,” he said. “They motivate us.”

Harry Funk/The Almanac

Harry Funk/The Almanac

David Gratton and forward Vincent Vituccio

In that regard, the students are working on banners to display at the YMCA when the No. 3-seeded Blackhawks host Central Catholic at 9 p.m. March 4 in the PIHL’s 2019 Class AAA Penguins Cup Playoffs. The victor goes on to face the winner of the playoff game between

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