Photo Gallery: Coach Trotz at CAPE 3rd Annual HockeyFest

Challenged Athletes Playing Equally (C.A.P.E.), a non-profit organization, is for any physically or mentally challenged person that wants to play in a sport or activity. C.A.P.E. held its third annual Hockeyfest on Saturday, September 13 at the Veteran’s Memorial Inline Rink, in LaVergne. The daylong event included Youth, Inc. inline scrimmages and featured a scrimmage made up of two C.A.P.E. teams to kick-off their third hockey season. Special guests in attendance included Nashville Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz, Locker Room Attendant Craig “Partner” Baugh, team mascot Gnash and former Nashville Dixie Flyer Harry Stoddard.

Coach Trotz has a close relationship with C.A.P.E., his 7-year-old son, Nolan suffers from Down Syndrome. Trotz and Nolan served as guest coaches for the blue team; former Dixie Flyer Stoddard served as guest coach for the orange team; and “Partner” dropped the ceremonial puck drop. Gnash was on hand to cheer on the kids and their families.

The Nashville Predators relationship with C.A.P.E. extends beyond the Hockeyfest event. C.A.P.E. participates in the Predators Street Pride street hockey program. Through this NHL supported program, the Preds partner with youth community centers to donate street hockey equipment, nets, balls and program support. Street Pride takes hockey off the ice and into the streets to help kids get into the game and break down any socio-economic (or physical) barriers to the sport of hockey - all a kid needs to play are sneakers! For more information on the Predators Street Pride program, click here.

Visit Challenged Athletes Playing Equally website at www.capetn.org.