The Dskate Hockey Program
Everyone knows the story of Bobby Clarke, he of Philadelphia Flyer lore.
Clarke was a gifted hockey player and even grittier warrior who stopped at nothing to defend his teammates.
People also know of Clarke's battles with Type 1 diabetes. His struggles in managing his diabetes ultimately blazed a trail for future individuals living with diabetes to break down barriers and reach new heights.
Yet it has been a long climb up the hill for athletes living with diabetes.
When I had the opportunity to interview Bobby Clarke, over a year ago, his comments about his diabetes were brief and to the point. He was very matter of fact about it, and after a career of battling through more highs and lows than his teammates could ever understand, it is understandable that the Hall of Fame forward is still focused on the fight.
And so too are millions of others living with diabetes.
Turning back the clock to the dawn of the most recent NHL lockout, this past fall, I found myself caught in a challenge. Preparing to cover the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals for another season, I was not among those who felt the lockout would last as long as it did. Sure enough, as the war between owners and the PA dragged into the onset of winter, I was proven wrong in my vision that an NHL season would soon be upon us.
Fortunately, as the reality of the disappearing season dawned on me, my partners and I realized we had a new opportunity to try something new while giving something back.
Of course, as you might have guessed it, we wanted to give back to the world of diabetes. Thus the creation of the
Dskate Hockey Program.
My personal story with diabetes is not that of first person experience as a Type 1, but as that of an advocate, born into a world where diabetes played a role in all aspects of my life.
Never straying hard from my passion of hockey, when offered the chance to combine it with the world of diabetes, creating Dskate Hockey, a hockey and diabetes education program for boys and girls living with type 1 diabetes, I simply could not pass up the opportunity.
And, like Bobby Clarke, who inspired a generation of athletes living with diabetes, Dskate is proud to have Cory Conacher, of the Ottawa Senators, and Chris Jarvis, former Canadian Olympian, taking part in the Dskate Program.
Both Conacher and Jarvis live with type 1 diabetes and are shining examples of many of today's great athletes who are leading a new generation of people living with diabetes to continue to break down barriers and pursue their dreams in sport.
Aided by a superb coaching staff of NCAA and CIS hockey coaches and a team of diabetes experts and specialists, led by Dr. Michael Riddell, PhD, and provided by Program partner,
Medtronic of Canada Ltd., the Dskate Hockey Program is the first of its kind to offer young hockey players living with diabetes the chance to grow their game in a worry-free environment.
Mixing hockey skill development and diabetes management, education and awareness are important factors that will be seamlessly integrated through the Dskate U education and nutrition portion of the Program.
Needless to say, an exciting opportunity for participants and myself alike.
The jump from covering the game to helping creating a new niche of hockey, focusing on developing the skills of hockey players living with diabetes, was a natural and exciting idea. More and more people living with type 1 diabetes want to live an active life by participating in team sports, like everyone else, yet without the stigma of their diabetes in getting the way.
Dskate is a step in that direction.
The inaugural Dskate Hockey Program will take place this August 6-9 at the Milton Sports Center in Milton, Ontario and will offer boys and girls living with type 1 diabetes a chance to grow their game and expand their knowledge of diabetes and diabetes management.
To learn more about the Dskate Hockey Program, please visit
dskatehockey.ca or you can send an email to
[email protected].
With an eye on expanding in the future, I would be very interested in your thoughts?
And with that, you now know why you have seen very little of me this past season. I apologize for being unable to offer my usual coverage and commentary, but hope you will understand.
I happen to be hosting a Montreal Canadiens draft preview show on June 27th on
montrealhockeytalk, so I am back to focusing on the team and should hopefully post a couple pieces about that in the coming weeks.
Hope you are well and looking forward to the original 6 Stanley Cup showdown!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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