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September 25, 2006
Positive attitude essential, skaters told: Young hockey players hear from Travis Roy
By KRISTEN WALSH The Patriot Ledger
HINGHAM - The youngsters in the Yankee Conference South Hockey League have picked up some motivational advice from someone who knows a little bit about hockey and motivation. "I hope you guys will live with an attitude that will never limit your abilities, because a positive attitude will get you further in life than any other skill," former Boston University hockey player Travis Roy told a group of 10- to 13-year-old players Saturday at the league’s checking clinic, a mandatory annual event. Roy, 30, who in 1995 was paralyzed from the neck down in a collision with another player 11 seconds into his first collegiate hockey game, is now a motivational speaker. Roy, originally from Augusta, Maine, spoke to the youngsters at the Pilgrim Skating Arena. He talked about setting goals, getting good grades, improving their skills and having respect for those around them. "Having pride means knowing you gave it your best shot, knowing you didn’t let yourself down," Roy said. The league had a rough summer. It discovered that more than $80,000 had been skimmed from its coffers. The league’s former director has been charged with larceny. Donations have made up $50,000 of that loss. "Hopefully the young skaters will listen and follow the examples Travis is trying to set," said Bob Badmington, the new director. "This shows we’re still here. It’s a positive thing for us. We’re watching out for these kids," Badmington said. The league, which has 2,500 players on 161 teams on the South Shore and Cape Cod, operates on a budget of $10,000 a year. "There’s something positive in every situation," Roy told the youngsters. "It’s just that sometimes you have to look pretty hard to find it. Sometimes we choose our goals or challenges, and sometimes the challenges choose us." Several businesses, including Kennedy’s Country Gardens of Scituate, Balloons for All Reasons of Braintree and US Foods, donated decorations and food for the event. For more information about the Travis Roy Foundation, visit the Web site www.travisroyfoundation.org. . Kristen Walsh may be reached at kwalsh@ ledger.com .
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Appeared in the Patriot Ledger September 25, 2006
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