Rockin' Hockey tradition continues

The local high school season officially comes to an end every February. But each April there is an opportunity to hit the ice for a special event on the rink.

More than 150 people — participants and supporters — were part of the annual Rockin’ Hockey event last week at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

The event gives students in the district with special needs the opportunity to hit the ice and enjoy a day of adaptive hockey. Special needs students are paired with high school hockey players from across the Valley, and together they get in on the action.

Rockin’ Hockey began in 2014 when Steve MacSwain and Theresa Savel had a vision to bring students onto the ice who may have never had the opportunity to experience a hockey game. By connecting students with special needs and local high school hockey players, that vision became a reality.

After MacSwain and his family moved away, Christine Greco continued this event in his honor. Since then, participation has grown year after year, touching more lives and strengthening our community.

Rockin’ Hockey is built on the values of teamwork, leadership, and inclusion, Greco said. Through shared time on the ice, student-athletes and students with special needs build confidence, form friendships, and create lasting memories. It’s more than just a game—it’s a celebration of connection and community, Greco added.

Students from Palmer, Houston, Redington, Wasilla, Colony, Mat-Su Career Tech and Valley Pathways were involved this year. There were about 90 students and hockey players, nearly 40 staff and volunteers and at least two dozen additional supporters. There could have been more, Greco said, but the ongoing school bus drivers strike prevented intensive resource students from at least three schools from attending.

“A heartfelt thank you to the hockey players from Palmer, Houston, Wasilla, Colony, Mat-Su Ravens, and Team Alaska for making this event so special,” Greco said.

Greco also thanked the sponsors that helped make the event possible: Palmer Lion’s Club, Hometown Realty, Duclos Dirtworks, Erik Christensen State Farm, MTA Solutions, Cruz Construction, Northstar Supply, Swanson Family, Northern Renegade Photography, MTA Events Center, Kids Kupboard, Kuuk Water and Lazy Moose Designs.

Contact the Frontiersman at sports@frontiersman.com.