Rockin Hockey returns to Palmer rink

PALMER— The first Rockin Hockey event since 2019 drew over 90 participants at the MTA Events Center, Monday, April 10.

Event organizer Christine Greco was thrilled to see such a strong return with so many enthusiastic high school hockey players making memories with their peers in adaptive physical education.

"It went great. Tons of smiles, that's what we want," Greco said.

Colony High School, Houston Junior Senior High School, Palmer High School, and Wasilla High School hockey teams paired up with adaptive P.E students to play several non-competitive matches.

Students from Mat-Su Career and Tech High School and Redington High School were also paired with participating teams.

Greco said the whole goal is to give adaptive P.E students the opportunity to participate in team sports and promote positive connections with their hockey playing peers.

"Everybody can be on that ice and have fun," Greco said.

This year's event was the fifth iteration of Rockin Hockey, according to Greco. She said that Steve MacSwain and Theresa Savel are the original founders but they both moved away from the Mat-Su Valley, prompting her to carry on the cherished community tradition.

"I wanted to keep this going," Greco said.

MacSwain was a professional hockey player and has a son with special needs. Greco said that MacSwain always wanted to see his son and other students with special needs have the opportunity to play on the ice, and she's honored to carry out that vision. She said this year's event was a prime example of that dream in action.

"They were all excited. It's an overwhelming experience just watching them... just giving them an opportunity to let them be a part of a team and have the announcer say their names," Greco said. "It's so good for them, that connection. When they were out there, they were a team."

Greco organized this year's event with the help of numerous volunteers from across the community as well as local sponsors such as North Star Supply and Pizza Athena.

Our hockey community is the best," Greco said. "To do this kind of event it takes the entire community, and they all stepped up."

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com