How has life with hockey led you to Team USA? 

“I played a lot of youth hockey, and really enjoying it growing up. As I got a little older and diagnosed with my condition, I realized things were starting to change. The older I got and the more my condition progressed, it became really hard to track the puck. I used to play all the time, at one point I was playing on four teams, but I had to start playing on lower divisions to make up for my eyes not picking up the puck. It got really frustrating and a little discouraging. When I met Kevin Shanley through Matt Morrow and we were able to connect and start skating together, we had the big [blind hockey] puck and it re-ignited that passion to play hockey. Playing in various tournaments and meeting so many people, it was so fun to play competitively again. Once they put Team USA together – I was so shocked they put this team together so quickly, I thought maybe in another year or two we’d see something like that, but just an incredible email to receive [when the tryouts were announced].”

What does Blind Hockey mean to you?

“It’s everything. When I first got involved, it was so small…just myself and Kevin Shanley, then [sister Victoria Vanturini-McDermott] as well. We got to watch it grow. It was something I was involved with for so long; I interned with Matt [Morrow] in 2012, so it’s a huge part of my life. It’s been really amazing to watch everything grow and change and the amount of people involved now. It’s a really good feeling; I know it’s helped a lot of people. When I first started playing, it was absolutely life changing for me. I came home, and I was on my sister that whole year, because she needed to feel the way I felt and experience this. It really did change my life – it reignites passion. It’s just been incredible for me.”

What does being a member of Team USA mean to you?

“It’s a huge honor. It took a few months for it to really sink in, because I never think of things like that when I’m involved in them. I knew it was important, and it was an honor to put on that jersey, because it’s something everyone dreams of, but it also has that almost surreal feeling. People are watching this, people are inspired this. I never thought of myself as someone who could do that for other people. I’m so happy to be a part of it and watch the sport grow. It’s a blessing to be involved still and be able to play on this team, especially in its first year. I can’t wait to see how this team grows and what it’s going to be like in a few years.”

On playing on Team USA with sister Victoria Vanturini-McDermott:

“I love being on the team with my sister. Sometimes I don’t know how we’d make it through without each other. Her and I are so close, and we have been for so many years, it’d be weird to do it without her. We grew up playing together on the same teams occasionally, because there’s an age gap. Every now and then we weren’t, and when we weren’t, it didn’t feel right. It feels great to have her there.”

“It feels like I’m where I’m supposed to be. I get so incredibly proud of Vicki. I forget sometimes it’s me too; I focus a lot on her in those moments.”

Who is your favorite team or favorite player?

“Ranger fan – have been my whole life. One of my favorite players WAS a Ranger; not a flashy player, but a good grinder – Carl Hagelin. I was super pumped to be able to see his stall in the Penguins locker room [at the International Series in October]. I try to do the same he does; I’m not a finesse player, I know that about myself, I try to get in there and do my job, prevent goals, and get out. That’s a lot how he plays and I’ve always really enjoyed watching him.”

Who is your hockey hero in your life?

“My parents were huge growing up, always taking us everywhere. Honestly I have no idea how they had three kids, taking us everywhere, sometimes on three different teams. I don’t know how they did it, three kids playing travel hockey and getting it done."

"If I had to pick a hero as a player, I have to pick my sister Vicki. I don't usually think of myself as anything other than ordinary doing these things, but when I watch her do them…it’s so special, it’s so amazing to watch. When we were first diagnosed, I was diagnosed first, and then they diagnosed Vicki. And I was really sad, because I would have rather had her vision loss added to mine so she didn’t have to deal with it at all. I’ve just always looked up to her, and she’s just always been such an inspiration to me.”

Help Support USA Blind Hockey’s Journey to the Paralympics. 

Fresh off an exciting inaugural year, Team USA Blind Hockey Team is skating right into a brand new season! In just a year, Team USA has gone from tryouts full-fledged international team. Following our training camp last year, Team USA faced off against Canada in the FIRST-EVER international competition. After that series in Pittsburgh in October, Team USA ventured north of the border to take on Canada in Toronto. 

This tremendous growth wouldn't be possible without out an amazing level of support from our fans, friends and family! 

As we continue to build up the sport of blind hockey in the United States, we need YOUR help to reach our fundraising goal for operating expenses for the team. Our players and coaches have been putting it all on the ice to build this team so quickly, and after one round of competitive play against Canada, they are hungry to do battle again.

Your support will give these blind hockey athletes the opportunity to participate and compete in these events. All donations will go directly to the team to help with player transportation, equipment, custom blind hockey pucks, and all the other costs of starting a brand-new team. Let’s help these athletes flourish, and show them that they have our support as we grow the sport of Blind Hockey.

The sport of blind hockey has tripled in size since when it was first implemented at the USA Hockey Disabled Festival in 2016 and we’re incredibly proud of our first Team USA for blind hockey.

Follow Team USA on Social Media:

Facebook @USABlindHockey

Twitter @USABlindHockey

Instagram @USABlindHockey

Team USA Merchandise:

USABlindHockeyTeam.com

Learn More About Blind Hockey:

Blind Hockey Summit in Cranberry to feature first international series 
What it's like to be a blind hockey goalie 

What Is Blind Hockey? @ USAHockey.com

Growth of Blind Hockey Demonstrated at Disabled Hockey Festival