Kids & Family
Toms River Hockey Club Marking 50th Anniversary With Celebration
The Toms River Hockey Club is kicking off its 50th year with an opening day celebration.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — For 50 years, youth players have been hitting the ice to play hockey in the Toms River Hockey Club.
On Saturday, the club will be marking the start of its 50th season with a celebration at Winding River Skating Center in Toms River.
The celebration will include games involving all of the club's youth teams, from U6 through U18,
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
At 1:30 p.m., the Blackhawks U18AA team, made up of juniors and seniors from several area high schools, will take on the Brick Stars Challenger Organization, a program consisting entirely of players with developmental disabilities.
The Brick Stars Challenger Organization was founded by Alex DePalma and Dina Crepaldi in 2009 to teach skating and hockey game skills to children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Since then, it has become the fastest-growing special needs program in New Jersey.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In addition, the Blackhawks will host John O’Connell, who was recently named the USA Hockey 2025 Disabled Athlete of the Year. O’Connell, a Toms River resident and veteran of the United States Air Force, is a former pilot who is now legally blind. He plays for the New Jersey Warriors, a team made up entirely of disabled veterans.
The games begin at 7 a.m. and will be open to the public. The final game begins at 8:30 p.m. There is no entrance fee but donations can be made to the Bricks Stars Challenger Organization to support their program.
"The Toms River Hockey Club takes tremendous pride in staying true to its non-profit, volunteer driven, grassroots spirit. The club strives to foster a love for the sport of ice hockey in a competitive, but family friendly, environment," said Harry McDermott, president of the club.
McDermott said the club offers programs for children from age 5 to 18, and to varying skill levels at every age.
Information on the Toms River Hockey Club and its programs can be found on the club's website.
Information on the Brick Stars Challenger Organization can be found online as well.
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