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For Immediate Release:
Contact: Craig McClellan -- 763-535-4736
MINNESOTA DIVISION TO HOST FIRST ANNUAL POWERHOCKEY
ALL-STAR GAME
 [February
23, 2000] -- The U.S. EWHA's Minnesota Division will host its first
annual All-Star Game, Saturday, February 26, at the Bierman gymnasium,
located a few blocks west of Mariucci Arena, on the University of
Minnesota campus. The event will take place from 1 p.m. until 4
p.m., and will include a skills competition, a Media/NHL Minnesota
game, and the Minnesota players All-Star game.
Event Schedule:
1:15-- Skills Competition
2:00-- Media/NHL Minnesota Challenge
3:00-- Minnesota Division All-Star Game
The Media/NHL Minnesota challenge will include the
National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild front office personnel;
President Tod Leiweke, and Vice President of Marketing Matt Majka.
Others scheduled to play include members of the Minnesota NHL Alumni,
and local media members; Eric Perkins of KARE 11, and reporters
from the television show "Whatever". Currently, there are a couple
of spots open on this team. If you are interested in participating,
contact the U.S. EWHA by Friday, February 25. All participants will
receive a first-hand experience at the great sport of PowerHockey.
The Minnesota Division's 1999 player awards will be given out between
periods of the Minnesota Division All-Star Game. Award winners for
1999: Most Valuable Player/ Chris Kram (Cambridge); Defensive Player
of the Year/ Jenny Onsum (Brooklyn Park); Goaltender of the year/
Chris Becker (Plymouth); Most Improved Player/ Dan Bruflodt (Minneapolis);
Rookie of the Year/ Joe Hugley (St. Paul); and Sportsmanship Award/
Matthew Wilson (St. Paul).
The U.S. EWHA answers a specific need within the disabled
community. Programs, such as the Paralympics and Special Olympics
(mental disabilities), do not have programs for power-wheelchair
users. On average, these athletes have limited muscle strength,
which is the main reason behind the lack of sports opportunities.
The U.S. EWHA works to fill this void by providing a competitive
sports opportunity for physically disabled, power-wheelchair, athletes.
The future is bright for PowerHockey. The U.S. EWHA
is contacted weekly by others around the country who wish to play.
Our goal is to continue to perfect our programs in Minnesota, and
then expand to every major city in the U.S. This May, the Minnesota
Division of the U.S. EWHA will begin its fourth regular season.
Once again four teams will compete for the state title. The Minnesota
Stars (U.S. EWHA traveling team) will travel to Toronto, May 19-21,
to defend the International Challenge Trophy they won in 1998. The
Stars will compete against Canada's top players from Toronto, Hamilton,
Calgary, Vancouver and London (Ont.).
The U.S. EWHA Board of Directors has also announced
its intentions to host a World PowerHockey tournament in the year
2001. A committee is currently being formed to determine the possibilities
of this event. Support from media, businesses and the general community
is needed in order to make this event possible. This tournament
could be the largest power-wheelchair sporting event in U.S. history.
For more information on the U.S. EWHA or the Minnesota
Division please contact (612) 535-4736 or visit us on the web at
PowerHockey.com.
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