The Sled Files

Donna served with the US Army 3rd infantry and completed two tours in Iraq from 2003 to 2005. Since returning home, she has been actively involved with organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project, World T.E.A.M. Sports, and Long Island Sled Inc. She shares with us her experience as a RoughRider and her love for hockey. Thank you Donna for your service and to all those who have served, and those who continue to serve.

My co-host Vinny and I are joined by a very special guest Tommy Gillece, who plays Right Wing for the Long Island RoughRiders. Tommy is perhaps best known for being the ultimate team player that always puts the team first. Today we will get to learn from Tommy the importance of teamwork and how special the RoughRiders team is to him.

In this episode, Matt Castagna discusses his friendship with the co-host of this episode, Vinny. Matty also talks about his time at the University of New Hampshire and playing sled hockey for the University. We call in our former guest, Danny Santos, to share some funny stories. 

Walter Reid, one of the organizers of the Aviators of Nassau County Wheelchair softball team joins us today. Nassau Aviators Wheelchair Sports Association is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 with a mission to provide, promote and develop access to opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities. Despite his passion for wheelchair softball, sled hockey still remains his favorite sport.

Welcome back to Season 2! Starting off this new season we have Michael LaRose as our guest and Vinny Ficarrotta as a co-host. Michael, a naval architect, describes the challenges of learning to play sled hockey after his injury and how he used his architectural/engineering background to fine-tune his sled.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 7 In this episode, we have Stéphane Matteau, a New York Rangers legend, who sent the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup finals with a double-overtime goal. Matteau has helped create a leadership program for Bronx schools. He is currently working with Light Switch Learning to reach young readers through the series, "Make it Happen". It is an inspirational biography of his life as a professional athlete, father, son, and teammate.

In this episode, we have four life long friends Kevin Mitchell, Danny Santos, Vincent Ficarrotta and Michael DiPietrantonio sharing their thrilling tales from the sled-Danny finding his way up the airplane's overhead luggage compartment, Vincent getting K.O and many more...

Phil Derenze, Head Coach of the Long Island Rough Riders Sled Hockey Team, describes the basics of sled hockey and the approach that he takes coaching differently-abled players.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 4Born to serve others, Bryan Blomquist a Vietnam veteran, a former lieutenant of the Lynbrook Police Department, and a president of the Long Island Sled Hockey Inc, continues to be the everyday hero.  In this episode, Bryan shares the importance of fundraising to keep the sled hockey program free for all participants.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 4Born to serve others, Bryan Blomquist a Vietnam veteran, a former lieutenant of the Lynbrook Police Department, and a president of the Long Island Sled Hockey Inc, continues to be the everyday hero.  In this episode, Bryan shares the importance of fundraising to keep the sled hockey program free for all participants.