Texas sled hockey coach named 2009 Disabled Athlete of the Year by USA Hockey

From OurSportsCentral.com:

SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Rampage Sled Hockey Coach Lonnie Hannah (pictured) was recognized as USA Hockey's Disabled Athlete of the Year June 3 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Hannah, who resides in Boerne, Texas, is a two-time Paralympian helping the United States to capture the gold medal in Salt Lake City in 2002 and a bronze medal in 2006 in Turino. He recently helped Team USA to its first-ever gold medal at the 2009 International Paralympic Committee Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship and is now vying for a spot on his third Paralympic Team in 2010.

He is the fifth recipient of the annual award which recognizes the outstanding perseverance and dedication by a disabled hockey player through demonstrating the ability to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of excellence both on and off the ice. The recipient of this award exemplifies a positive role model for all disabled hockey disciplines.

"To receive this prestigious award is such an honor," said Hannah. "I believe that the Rampage Sled Hockey Team has been the main reason for me receiving this award. It feels great to be able to help wounded soldiers get back to a normal life through positive recreation. The team has come so far in the past three years and I enjoy giving back to the sport that has given me so much."

Hannah helped form the Rampage Sled Hockey Team in 2006 and has coached the team since its inception. This past season the team played in four tournaments. They made it to the finals twice (Dallas and Buffalo) placing second in both tournaments and took fourth in Boston and Chicago. The team also played against the Chicago Blackhawks Sled Hockey Team in February prior to a Blackhawks (NHL) game at United Center and defeated the Blackhawks at the AT&T Center on March 14 prior to a Rampage (AHL) game.

The San Antonio Rampage Sled Hockey Team is a joint effort between Operation Comfort and the Rampage offering a therapeutic and competitive sled hockey team for injured soldiers. The competitors on the team are primarily soldiers rehabilitating at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and the Center for the Intrepid. Some competitors are veteran soldiers with disabilities, and a limited number of competitors are San Antonio residents with disabilities.