The NoCo Ice Center west of Windsor held a special skate session for kids in the northern Colorado community with physical and/or intellectual disabilities on Jan. 8.

According to a press release from Sarah Nelson of Northern Colorado Youth Hockey, more than 100 people attended the event and received skating lessons from some very special guests.

In attendance were Colorado Eagles players Jason Beatty, Patrick Cey, Adam Chorneyko, Liam Huculak, Jake Marto and Luka Vidmar, as well as Colorado Eagles mascot, Slapshot.

Nelson said also helping on the ice was Colorado Sled Hockey, a hockey team whose players sit in specially designed sleds that rest on skate blades.

Nelson said the Colorado Ice Wizards, a hockey team for children and adults with developmental disabilities, was also in attendance. The event was sponsored by NoCo Ice Center, Colorado Eagles, Special Olympics Colorado and US Figure Skating.

Learn to Skate director Gordon Harrison led the event. The free event has been held annually for the last several years at NoCo Ice Center.

Nelson said it has allowed children of all ages with special needs the chance to enjoy the ice rink in a fun, but safe, environment.

This year the kids were excited to get some one-on-one skating lessons from Eagles players, as well as seeing the amazing talent of sled skaters in action, Nelson said.

Nelson said NoCo Ice Center looks forward to teaming up with these great organizations again for the next Special Need Skate.

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