Taylor Lipsett, member of the USA Olympic Sled Hockey team who went undefeated (and un-score upon) in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver took part in a 3 on 3 Sled Hockey exhibition during the 3 on 3 Half Ice Hockey Challenge at the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center.
STARskaters 3 on 3 Tournament article in Houston Chronicle (click the picture below)
Houston Chronicle article on Sled AEROS Hockey Team. (click the picture below)
Be A Sled Hockey STAR!
If you are a disabled athlete or know of anyone who would be interested in participating in sled hockey, drop us a line! We are now forming a sled hockey team and are now recruiting interested players. Contact us at sledhockey@STARskaters.org.
ARC of Ft. Bend County Enjoys a STAR skate Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center joined forces with STARskaters and the ARC of Ft. Bend County for an afternoon of skating, smiles and pizza. The event was sponsored by STARskaters, and made possible by a host of volunteers from the Houston skating community. Figure skaters, hockey skaters, referees, and skating instructors were all on hand to lend a hand to provide a recreational opportunity for the ARC participants. STARskaters is pleased to be able to support the ARC mission of positively affecting the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and provide a base of support for their families.
Click here for photos of the event. If you have any photos of the event that you'd like to share, please e-mail to jim@STARskaters.org.
Gene Gilstrap and the Ice Holes created their own division of play to support the STARskaters mission
Thanks to all participants, and congratulation to division winners 3 little Pigs (open), Zebras (Rec I), The Heat (Pee Wee), The Knights (Women's), the Lightning (prep) and the Zebras (Rec II)
Goalie Awards went to Marty Heward for best save percentage (.899) a Karen Wittenburg for fewest goals against (average 2.7 per game)
Playing goal in a 3 on 3 is extremely challenging as there is one goalie for both teams. It's like defending a non-stop power play for 15 minutes. Even so, more than half the goalies achieved an 80% save percentage or better. Following Marty Heward's tournament best .899 save percentage were Mike Vrabel with .841, Jim Burkhart with .841, Karen Wittenburg with .827, Oliver Penn with .825, Tim Bruxvoort with .823 and Barry Price with .807.
THANK you to our tournament sponsors, 2020 Exhibits, The Houston AEROS, NY Bagels, Fox and Hound Pub and Grille, and the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center. For a copy of the program, click here
RAFFLE WINNERS
ASTROS GM Seats - TC Lewis
Derek Boogard Bobblehead - Mike Price
Chilly AEROS lunchbox- Laura Elder
AEROS Game Pucks - "Crash" Collins, Fred Heller, Jodell Almond, Valdis Budrevics, Frank Brown, Andrew Turner.
Sugar Land Ice Private Party ($400 value) Perry Lea, Maurice Collins, Peter Ruvolo
Autographed & Framed AEROS Team Photo - Dean Hill
$100 Fox and Hound Gift Certificates - Rebecca Mattis, Mitch Daszewski
Cal Clutterbuck Bobblehead - Greg Jeffrey
1 hour Swedish massage - Ed Kelly
Michael Segal CD / Puck Rock CD - Paul Colwell
NY Bagel Gift Certificate - George LeHocky
For more event photos, click here
Olympic Sled Hockey Gold Medalist James Dunham lends a hand as STARskaters hosts an Amputees In Action event at the Willowbrook AERODROME. Click here for more photos
Thanks to everyone for helping make our first 3 on 3 Tournament a huge success, including generous donations from Ed Wade & the Houston Astros, the Houston AEROS, Belknap Concrete, NY Bagels, Powerlung, Penguno’s Hockey, Next Level Thinking, Northland Game Calls and Tanner Creative. Thanks also to volunteers Louren Li, David Kaufmann, Deb Lewis, Chef Sonny Hubbard and the awesome staff at the AERODROME.
Special thanks to our USA Hockey referees David Luther and Gene Pruse who generously donated their time for this event. With only one penalty in 20 games, our refs would also like to thank the players for clean play and great sportsmanship as we raised money to benefit our Sled Hockey program.
A/B Division
Purple Cows defeated Paradise 3-2 in a very fast paced game with an excellent performance by goalie Tim Bruxvoort.
REC Division
The Raging Hamlets outlasted Robi’s Ice Holes 4-2 who played the entire tournament with no substitutions and receive the "Ironman" award!
Women's Division
The Gunners went undefeated in the tournament on the frequent goals by Claudia Brown to take the Women’s Division Championship.
Goaltender Awards
Thanks to all our goalies, Tim Bruxvoort, Bob Emery, Bonnie Hoffman, Joel Petty Barry Price, and Sonny Hubbard (also MVP Chef).
Fewest Goals Against – Joel Petty who only allowed a total of 10 goals.
Best Save Percentage – Barry Price .807 A VERY Close race among the top 4 goalies with Petty finishing at .774, Bruxvoort at .771 and Hubbard at .711
Tournament MVP – Tim Bruxvoort who turned in a stellar performance in a very competitive division.
Raffle Winners
1 Hour Swedish Massage – Scott Hill
3 months Sinnamin Rolls – Jennifer Guillot
Evening with the AEROS (4 tickets and penalty box experience) – Gary Lassin
Broadcast Seat at AEROS – Louis Heber
Fox and Hound Gift Certificate – Stephanie Robichaud
AEROS Autographed Pucks – John Gibson, Marianna Bliss, Joanne Donovan, Steve Santini.
PUCK ROCK CD’s – Shawn Robichaud, Donna Fruge, Joel Petty, B. Porter Jr, Merideth Kalinov.
Minnesota WILD Boogard Autographed Photo – Ken & Kim Belknap
Minnesota WILD Autographed media guide – Tim
Minnesota WILD Notebook/Folder – Scott Zimmerman
Minnesota WILD Autographed Puck – Ben Sellers
Minnesota WILD Ballcap – Gene Pruse
Houston ASTOS GM Seats – Roger Cueva
PowerLung Trainer – Nolan White
NY Bagel Gift Certificates – Chad S, Bob Emery, Paul Keene
AERODROME Skating Passes – Colton Luther, Steve Santini, Meredith Kalinov, Leah Peed.
August 1st Raffle Drawing Winners:
Houston Texans Tickets - Leah Peed
Broadcast Seat at AEROS Game - Louis Hebert
Galveston Beach Weekend - Jennifer Guillot
Autographed Aeros Hockey Stick - Kim Belknap
Astros Tickets - David Fleming, Leah Peed, Valdis Budrevics, Paul Kropf, Tavia Jackson, Kathy Singleton, Randy Patel, Barry Bedgdick, Claudia Brown, Scott Jasmer, Sarah Matthews, Shannon Becker, Ken Smith, Connie Evans, Shannon Martinez, Donna Fruge, B. Shepherd, Ben Sellers, Mike Hartman, TC Lewis
NY Bagel Gift Certificates - Leah Peed, Lisa Stasney
AERODROME Skating Passes - Chad S, Joanne Donovan, Ellen Taer
Raffle Items Needed!
We need raffle items for upcoming events as we raise funds for our new Sled Hockey team. Contact mary@STARskaters.org
STARskaters.org founder named "Houston Hockey Hero" during USA Hockey's Hockey Weekend Across America. Click here for details.
STARskaters would like to thank Marissa Castillon for her performance at the National Skate Day at The Willowbrook Aerodrome.
This year, Marissa will be traveling to Idaho to make her second trip to the Special Olympics World Winter Games. She has dedicated 32 years to ice skating, and has advanced to Freestyle level four, an accomplishment of which she is very proud. In 2001, she competed in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Alaska, where she earned a bronze medal.
She was named Athlete of the Year for the Greater Houston area and the state in 2003 and her family was named Family of the Year for the Greater Houston area and the state in 2001. She is also part of the Athlete Leadership Program.
STARskaters would like to thank Marissa Castillon for her performance at the National Skate Day at The Willowbrook Aerodrome.
