The following article was featured in the Delaware County Daily Times on July 6, 2007. Article written by Times Correspondent Linda Reilly. Photos taken by Times Staff Photographer Eric Hartline.
Pat Hilferty, of Drexel Hill, has always been a hockey fan. The 22-year-old likes the speed and the competitiveness of the sport so much he started a floor hockey team, Philadelphia PowerPlay, that draws players from the county and beyond for monthly Saturday morning games at the Archbishop Prendergast High School gym in Upper Darby.
“Everyone is in a power wheelchair,” Hilferty said of the doubly challenging event of co-ed players confined to a chair and its limitations. “I have a stick connected to my wheel chair. Other players can hold the stick. They have somewhat of an advantage.”
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was three years old, Hilferty graduated from Penncrest High in 2003 and from Delaware County Community College last year with a degree in Liberal Arts.
The personable young man recalled playing different sports in high school including baseball, out-door track and hockey.
“Hockey was my favorite so we decided to have a tournament among disabled players at Penncrest,” Hilferty said. “Because there were other players at Haverford High School I thought we could do more and decided to start a team.”
Delaware County Intermediate Unit Occupational Therapist Sue Lucas put a different spin on how the hockey team actually got started.
According to Lucas, Hilferty and a classmate were caught racing down a school hallway by a teacher and reprimanded.
“I happened to be the Penncrest High girl’s track team coach and agreed to start a track team,” Lucas said. “Pat (Hilferty) researched and we started a track team in 1999 and the (floor) hockey in 2001. Pat has done an incredible job. We’re just in a supportive role now.”
Lucas and Physical Therapist Jane Bunting, who previously served as hockey coaches and referees, are now advisors to the team joining spectators and fans sitting in the bleachers cheering each goal.
Like street hockey and ice hockey the sound of the hockey stick slamming the puck into the net to score parallels the floor hockey games.
The difference in this fast moving game is the players are not covered with padding, helmets, gloves or shin guards they are manning their electric wheelchairs.
Players arrive early to practice passing and shooting before the frenzy of the face-off and the crashing sound heard from the metal-to-metal slam into other wheelchairs to make the shot for GOAL!
Many of the participants are able to hold onto the hockey stick with their hands but others who cannot rely on their ability to handle the stick swing their wheelchair to maneuver the hockey stick taped to the side of their chair.
Some players have a dowel centered on the base of the hockey stick to better aim the puck when it comes into play.
Player Sarah Gaudioso, 16, of Linwood expressed her love for the game and opportunity to play.
“I got involved because I really had no outlet for sports except gym class,” Gaudioso said. “I started coming about three years ago. I put the hockey stick between my feet and hold it. The dowel helps drive the puck forward.”
According to Hilferty, the team members have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or other physical or cognitive disabilities and face the challenge life presented with unparalled energy and drive with the freedom of movement provided by the wheel chair.
Hilferty credits Thomas Stewart, Prendie’s assistant principal and varsity basketball coach, with making arrangements to use the school’s gym.
“Without UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) they wouldn’t be able to play here,” Lucas said citing the necessary insurance coverage provided by the agency.
“They’re quick in those chairs,” Stewart, step-father of team member Andrew Scavito, 20, said.
“This is a small enough facility for the game and we have the clock, nets and access for wheelchairs coming in.”
“This gives them a lot of self-esteem. They can compete in something. It’s a great activity. In a sense they are very competitive. They don’t want to lose.”
According to Stewart, the floor hockey team celebrates at the end of the season at Outback Steakhouse, Springfield and has their Christmas party at Casey’s, Drexel Hill, picnics and other social events.
For Scavito, he loves the opportunity to play floor hockey.
“I like coming to Prendie’s gym because it’s a big social event for me once a month,” Scavito said.
“We’ve been involved since the beginning,” Joanne Stewart said. “This is a good time for Andrew to get together with a lot of his friends that he doesn’t get a chance to see all the time.”
Parents and siblings coach and referee the three-period games that last 15 minutes each on a running clock.
“It’s a great network for players to communicate with each other and make new friends,” Hilferty said. “It gives disabled people an athletic outlet and a great way for parents to talk about different issues related to disabilities. It’s a good social activity for both parents and the players.”
John Shinn, 51, and son Matt, 19, of Glen Mills heard about the team at school.
“He looks forward to the games,” Shinn said. “I think it’s great. This is the only sports-type function he does. It brings out competitiveness and it’s great for socializing too.”
According to Shinn who coaches, Hilferty usually divvies up the players for each team before game time.
“Usually we have four-on-four or five-on-five games,” depending on how many players show up, Shinn said.
Bill Shipman, 26, of Downingtown, assists with coaching and referee duties.
“I enjoy helping,” Shipman said. “They get so much out of it. It’s exciting to see them grow, play well and have fun.”
Lauren Shipman, 18, of Drexel Hill, sidelined due to recent surgery, cheered on teammates at a recent game.
“I look forward to games,” Lauren Shipman, a recent Penncrest grad, said. “I like scoring goals.”
“Normally she would be out there,” Bill Shipman said. “She’s very aggressive.”
“Nobody ever got hurt playing floor hockey here. We hope they don’t get hurt and we let them get aggressive. They seem to be very aware of where their legs and arms are. You hear a lot of grinding metal. The parents kind of encourage the players to be aggressive. It’s the one sport they can try to be able-bodied.”
Persons interested in the games or for information can visit the website at www.PhiladelphiaPowerPlay.com.
Top Left: Patrick Hilferty of Drexel Hill, Upper Darby, on right, tries to clear the ball past Greg Smith of Ambler during a wheelchair hockey game at Archbishop Prendergast High School gym.
Bottom Left: Andrew Scavito of Haverford, left, shares a laugh with teammate Matt Shinn of Media between periods of a wheelchair hockey game.
Top Middle: Patrick Hilferty is all smiles after scoring a game-winning goal late in the third period of a wheelchair hockey game at Archbishop Prendergast High School.
Bottom Middle: Referee Billy Shipman drops the ball during a face-off between Luke Hoban, left, and Bryce Smith during the start of a Philadelphia PowerPlay wheelchair hockey game.
Top Right: Sarah Gaudioso of Linwood, Lower Chichester, makes a stick save on a shot.
Bottom Right: Members of the Philadelphia PowerPlay wheelchair hockey team are, front row, from left to right, Matt Shinn of Media, Luke Hoban of Lafayette Hill, Sarah Gaudioso of Linwood, Lower Chichester and Andrew Scavito of Havertown. In the back row, same order, are Greg Smith of Ambler, Patrick Hilferty of Drexel Hill, Upper Darby, Mike Presloid of Aston, Lauren Shipman of Drexel Hill, Upper Darby, Kelly Stout of Cherry Hill, NJ, and Bryce Smith of Philadelphia.