Hockey has been a part of Wyatt’s life since the age of four, from house hockey and travel teams to varsity high school hockey. Over the years, the sport helped shape his leadership, teamwork, discipline, and sense of community both on and off the ice. Hockey Mentors for Special Players was created by combining Wyatt’s lifelong passion for hockey with his commitment to helping individuals with disabilities feel included, supported, and valued.

That commitment is also deeply personal. Wyatt’s grandfather lost a leg as a child and spent much of his life navigating the challenges of living with a heavy prosthetic. Although Wyatt was young when his grandfather passed away, the experience left a lasting impact and helped shape his compassion for individuals facing physical challenges. From an early age, Wyatt consistently gravitated toward supporting those who felt different, overlooked, or in need of encouragement.

Hockey Mentors for Special Players began as Wyatt’s Eagle Scout project, originally planned as an in-person hockey experience for individuals with special needs. When COVID made the event impossible, Wyatt pivoted and partnered with Motor City Veterans Hockey to create a hockey parody video that helped keep the vision for Hockey Mentors alive while raising funds for Special Olympics Michigan.

In 2022, that vision became reality with the first Hockey Mentors skate. The response from families, volunteers, and the community was immediate and overwhelming, leading to continued events and the formation of Hockey Mentors as an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Today, Hockey Mentors hosts grant-supported monthly skates, adaptive skating opportunities, and large annual events that continue to grow each year.

Wyatt is currently a senior at Lawrence Technological University studying Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology while also pursuing his private pilot license. Leading Hockey Mentors continues to shape his approach to leadership, service, and problem-solving while reinforcing the importance of building opportunities where every participant feels welcome on and off the ice.

Contact: Wyatt@hockeymentors.net