The Special Needs Division of the Barrie Colts thought they were heading to OHL ice to play a game of hockey but instead, something even more exciting awaited. The players from the Barrie Colts met the Special Needs Division at the Paul Sadlon Arena Sunday afternoon to play a scrimmage game. The special needs group were under the impression they were going to be getting a tour of the facility and taking part in a practice with each other, but rather a much grander surprise was in store for them. Team Manager-Trainer for Special Needs Division of Barrie Colts Erin Nightingale says the event puts a spotlight on the sport that anyone can play. “I think it just brings awareness that hockey is for everyone, no matter ability or age,” Nightingale says. The special needs team is made up of people with varying abilities and ages. The ages range from 10 years old to 20 years old, who have either intellectual or developmental disabilities. “A lot of them come to the games regularly, have season’s tickets and stuff so they’re going to be pretty stoked to see these guys today,” Nightingale says. Liam Edwards, hockey player in Barrie Colts Special Needs Division, has been playing for years ever since he was a kid. His dad was a coach and he would play with his two brothers. “Scoring goals is what I do best for me and my team,” Edwards says, who plays centre. The event is part of the Colts in the Community, a weekly initiative where players connect with the community through school visits, appearances, charitable initiatives and youth hockey programs. The Barrie Colts, along with Head Coach Dylan Smoskowitz, greeted the special needs group in the changeroom ahead of the game. “Barrie Colts, I want you guys to meet the other Barrie Colts and today your team practice is actually going to be a team game. You guys are going to be mixed in with the Barrie Colts,” says Smoskowitz. “Make sure you guys work hard because these Barrie Colts behind me, they work very, very hard,” he says. Smoskowitz knows first-hand how hockey brings people together. “I’ve been around hockey my whole life and my entire life, my whole inner circle – my best friends, my family, it’s through hockey, it’s through Barrie,” he tells CTV News. “Barrie is my home and just the people you meet – I walk into the grocery store and there’s people just talking to me from the relationships you make, but it all stems back to the Barrie colts. It all stems back from what happens in this rink.” He says doing these events create a lasting impact, making these initiatives worthwhile. “When you see a smile that you bring to a kid’s face and just the brightness and joy you bring to their life just because they get to be on the ice with you, just because they get to be talking to you. It really kind of makes it all worth it.” The Barrie Colts players were fist-bumping their new teammates and cheering ahead of Sunday’s game. “It’s obviously great to give back to these guys,” says Barrie Colts player Declan McNally. “They support us a lot so it’s good.”
