Grand Traverse Hockey Association Team Volunteered At The 2010 State Winter Games

By Jenna Rummer

While the Special Olympics Michigan speed skaters zipped around the outer edge of the ice rink at Howe Arena, the Bayshore Bruins were in the center of the rink to help out. 

The Bayshore Bruins are a traveling youth hockey team from Traverse City. The average age of players on the team is 10. The team plays in the squirt division of the Grand Traverse Hockey Association which requires that players are born in either 1999 or 2000. The Bruins volunteered their time on Feb. 3 to lend a hand with speed skating at the 2010 State Winter Games.

Dan Stoudt is the assistant coach of the Bayshore Bruins. He's the one who got the team involved. Stoudt's employer, Traverse City State Bank, asked employees to volunteer at the Special Olympics 2010 State Winter Games. So Stoudt came up with the idea of having the Bayshore Bruins help out with the speed skating competition.

Stoudt thought pairing the Bayshore Bruins with Special Olympics Michigan speed skaters would be a great opportunity for his players.

"I want them to see the competitive spirit of the athletes and how much fun they have, which demonstrates the true meaning of the sport," said Stoudt.

The Bruins served as track workers who set up cones on the ice, and cheered on athletes.

An interesting moment came when a Special Olympics Michigan athlete challenged head coach of the Bruins, Tony Dean, to a race. Tony lost to the athlete and took a spill on the ice in the process.

Vincent Dean is a player for the Bruins who said with a smile that his father's victory was "not surprising."

The Bayshore Bruins players really enjoyed helping out that day. "I liked how happy it made everyone. It was fun seeing that. We skate fast in hockey, but it's different than that," said Christian Julian.

Ethan Stoudt, son of assistant coach Dan Stoudt, also enjoyed the experience.

"I liked to see their faces after we encouraged them. They're really happy," said Ethan.

Though this is the first year the Bayshore Bruins have volunteered at the State Winter Games, it is not likely to be their last. The coaches and players all said they would love to return to the games next year. Thank you Bayshore Bruins for helping out at the 2010 State Winter Games!

Posted: 2010-02-24