Mayor Emanuel Congratulates Chicago’s Gold Medal Paralympic Sled Hockey Athletes

as shared by Chicago's Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) ...

April 16, 2014

Paralympians are Members of the RIC Chicago Blackhawks Sled Hockey Team run through the
Chicago Park District and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Mayor Rahm Emanuel met and congratulated Chicagoans Brody Roybal and Kevin McKee today, two members of the gold medal winning United States Paralympic Sled Hockey Team.

 “I congratulate Brody, Kevin and the entire U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team on their impressive 

gold medals,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The perseverance and commitment these athletes bring to the 

rink in each competition truly embodies the Paralympic spirit of ‘Spirit in Motion.’ I am proud these 

two phenomenal athletes have the opportunity to play the sport they love right here in Chicago.”

The 2014 Paralympic Winter Games were held in Sochi, Russia, where the United States beat Russia 

1-0 in the final game to win its second consecutive gold medal. The U.S. Paralympic team included 

Chicagoland residents Brody Roybal, 15, and Kevin McKee, 24. Both athletes are members of the 

Chicago Blackhawks sled hockey team, a partnership between the Chicago Park District and the 

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner Karen 

M. Tamley joined Mayor Emanuel and the athletes at the meeting.

The U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team is the first to win two consecutive Paralympic sled hockey 

gold medals. The team has been honored by President Obama at the White House and also by the 

Chicago Blackhawks at a recent home game.

Sled hockey, also known as sledge hockey, is a Paralympic competition in which players propel 

themselves, shoot and pass the puck by using a three-foot-long stick held in each hand. Competition 

is open to athletes with a large range of physical disabilities including amputation, spinal injury and 

cerebral palsy.

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Photo Credit: Brooke E. Collins // City of Chicago 

Photo Caption: Mayor Rahm Emanuel meets with Paralympians Brody Roybal and Kevin Mckee 

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/mayor/Press%20Room/Press%20Releases/2014/April/04.16.14Paralympic.pdf