Navy Veteran From Pittsburgh Nominated For NHL's Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Navy veteran who runs hockey programs here in Pittsburgh is up for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award from the NHL.
Howard Smith is the co-founder of "Pittsburgh I.C.E," which stands for Inclusion Creates Equity.
Smith teaches "adaptive ice hockey" for people with developmental disabilities and coaches hockey teams for wounded military veterans.
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He served in the Navy for 20 years and says he fell in love with the game of hockey when he was just a child and watched the Pittsburgh Penguins on television.
Smith is one of three finalists for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award.
The big prize is $25,000.
To cast your vote for Smith, visit this link.