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Emanuel, Blackhawks bring hockey to Boystown

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Andrew Sobotka says he didn’t have any problems growing up as a gay hockey player in Detroit.

But, the 25-year-old said, “I definitely felt uncomfortable with it. I think there are a lot of people in Detroit with the same issue.”

A sport that is known for bone-crunching hits and on-ice fights might be appear to be exclusive at first glance, but Sobotka and others are working to spread the message that anyone, no matter age, gender or sexual identity, can enjoy hockey.

That message was clear Tuesday at the Center on Halsted, where Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (sporting a red Stan Mikita jersey), Blackhawks legend Denis Savard and others came together to celebrate the sport and to promote ways to make hockey more accessible to fans. Hawks players Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brett McLean were joined by players from the Chicago Gay Hockey Association in leading a clinic for students from Lakeview’s Burley Elementary.

“Every youth should have a safe space to participate in whatever program they like, and it’s up to (the community) to create that safe space,” said Brian Richardson, director of public affairs for the Center on Halsted.

Emanuel took the opportunity to reiterate his support for a longer school day, saying it could provide schoolchildren with more exercise.

“With the proper length of day, we’ll also get recess back, kids playing again, being out side running around,” he said.

He said Chicago children are more apt to be overweight or have diabetes than the national average.

Jay Blunk, the Blackhawks executive vice president, presented Emanuel with a red Hawks sweater with his name on the back, and announced that the team would donate hockey equipment to youth programs across the city as part of the team’s StreetHawks initiative.

Center on Halsted executive director Tico Valles also announced the launch of Sock Hockey, an indoor hockey program hosted by the Center.

“Many of our LGBT youth are not afforded the opportunity to participate, to compete and to learn [about hockey] because they are bullied, because they are harassed. Today that will change,” he said.

“Hockey is for Everyone” is the name of the NHL’s youth and grassroots program. But it took a different meaning at the popular Boystown gathering spot, said Sobotka, a Lakeview resident who serves as president of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association.

“To have the Blackhawks here and the Chicago leadership here to show that hockey is for everyone, it is invaluable,” he said.

Read more: Center on Halsted stories

Read more: Rahm Emanuel stories


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