Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/113047
GRANTS USA Hockey Foundation Awards Grants to Special Hockey Billy Batty, center P eter Ciavaglia, a former NHL player and member of the 1994 Olympic Team, wanted to give back to the sport that made him much of who he is today. He had no experience with special hockey, but he knew he could make a difference. In 2007, Ciavaglia started the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center Stars out of Michigan with only 1994 Olympi an, Peter Ciavag lia seven participants. In just over five years, that number has grown to 88 participants, and today, Ciavaglia volunteers as a coach for the team. Each of the players has a cognitive disability ranging from autism to Down syndrome to cerebral palsy. One such player, Billy Batty, a 20-year-old with pervasive developmental delay, has been with the team for four years. "Hockey Affiliate Block Grants helping at A ffiliate Block Grants, distributed by The USA Hockey Foundation are given to each affiliate based on membership numbers. Each affiliate is given the flexibility to use the money for the unique expenses each has. The California Amateur Hockey Association has used their block grant as a way to promote 4 concussion awareness. "We know more today than we ever have about concussions, and accepting the fact that [if left untreated] there could be a lasting effect," said Steve Laing, president of CAHA. "We need coaches, parents and players to recognize the symptoms and to seek help from medical professionals in treating concussions."