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March 15, 2005

Mayor Cites Importance of Volunteers, Community Support in Building True Champions

Woodbridge Township has four new gold medalists, courtesy of our friendly puck-chasing neighbors to the North.

15-year-old Chris Buchock and 12-year-olds Connor Fee, Josh Pauls and Bobby Pepsha are members of the Woodbridge Warriors, a youth sled hockey team sponsored by the Woodbridge Township Department of Parks and Recreation.

The quartet were selected to represent Woodbridge on the Atlantic Patriots, an all-star aggregation of New Jersey sled hockey players invited to compete in the recent Windsor Classic Indoor Gamesfor the Physically Disabled in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

The Patriots won the Classic’s Junior Division title in four games with a ferocious defense, yielding only one point in the series and shutting out the opposition in their final three outings.

“We are thrilled that Woodbridge is home to a contingent of world-class athletes,” says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “These young men overcame some serious competition by exhibiting teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.”

Sled hockey was first developed in Norway for physically- and developmentally-challenged youth. Athletes sit on sleds made of tubular framing supported by metal skate blades. The sled is propelled by picks that are also used to shoot and pass the puck. The popularity of the sport has grown internationally, and sled hockey is Canada’s fastest growing team sport.

Now in their second year, the Woodbridge Warriors are part of the Township’s thriving Buddy Ball program. “Buddy Ball and sled hockey give hundreds of kids the chance to do something many could previously only dream of – play organized sports in a fun, nurturing environment,” says Mayor Pelzman.

The Mayor also praised Parks and Recreation Department Director John Eberhardt and Buddy Ball League Past President and Woodbridge Warriors Head Coach Kevin Fee. “We can’t extend enough thanks to the scores of volunteers – the “Buddies” of Buddy Ball – for their time and devotion,” says Mayor Pelzman. “Buddy Ball could not exist without them.”

* * * For more information on the Woodbridge Warriors call Woodbridge Twp. Parks & Recreation Director John Eberhardt (732) 596-4045 or Woodbridge Warriors Head Coach Kevin Fee (732) 416-0190.