2019 HLFYA Eli Wizevich, a high school senior from West Hartford, CT, has been volunteering with the Hartford Braillers, a blind ice hockey team, for over two years. At weekly practices, a healthy compilation of players from near and far—some as far as Maine—come to play a game they love. Here, Eli helps the players, especially the two goalies, get dressed and on the ice, before leading warm-ups and drills.

Unfortunately, the Braillers have little funding, and expensive ice time is usually paid for out of pocket. When Eli joined the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation, he knew that he wanted to make a change for the team he has grown so close to. Accordingly, Eli has been involved in writing grants for the Braillers to several different charities organizations that help with visual impairments and sports.

Although the results of the grants are not final, Eli is confident that they will recognize the potential and commitment of the Braillers and allocate their funds accordingly. In the meantime, he can’t wait to get back on the ice with them!

Written by Eli Wizevich