KC Mavericks, Variety KC team up to teach kids how to skate

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Some Kansas City kids had a special night at Legends Field, but it had nothing to do with baseball. The KC Mavericks and Variety KC teamed up for an event at “Jingle!” at Legends Field where kids with cognitive and physical disabilities learned how to skate from KC’s best hockey players.

“It means everything,” said Jamie Witt, who took her son to the event. “He has wanted to ice skate since last year and getting to skate with the experts is probably the best experience for him.”

The Mavericks and Variety KC provided hockey sleds for the event. Kids were treated to fast rides on the ice, as well as personal skating lessons from their favorite players.

“I was just pushing a little kid around the track, and he was fired up. He just wants to go fast and feel the wind blowing,” said Luke Loheit, a forward with the Mavericks. “It’s good to see those smiles and fun to have those kids go through those experiences with us.”

While the event meant a lot to the kids, it also meant a lot to the Mavs. Serving the community is important to the organization.

“I think our guys are big kids having just as much fun,” said Tad O’Had, the general manager and head coach of the Mavs. “To be able to help these kids out, to get on the ice with them, see their smiles, it’s the holiday season. It’s very special for everyone involved.”

If you ask the Mavericks, they’ll tell you learning how to skate will teach you many life lessons – like how to pick yourself up after you fall.

“You’re just going to have to get up and get back at it,” said David Cotton, the Mavericks’ captain. “We had a couple of kids already take falls, but they weren’t crying. They were just ready for the next turn around the rink.”

KCTV5 is broadcasting a select number of Mavericks games on KSMO-TV. The Mavs’ next televised contest is Saturday, Dec. 21 against the Tulsa Oilers. Puck drops at 6:05 p.m.

A complete broadcast schedule for the Mavs on KSMO can be found here.

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