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Disabled crusader and hockey fan dies
By George Sipple / Detroit Free Press / AH
In April, Steven Kirkpatrick of Sandusky became the first person in a wheelchair to play in a professional hockey game.
After asking several leagues to allow him to play a shift, Kirkpatrick signed a one-day contract with the Indianapolis Ice and started a game in goal April 1 against the Huntsville Tornado.
"Even though I'm in this condition, I think I go to a lot more hockey games than most able-bodied people," he said then.
Kirkpatrick, who had muscular dystrophy, died Thursday of cardiac arrest. He was 22.
Kirkpatrick was befriended by Gordie and Colleen Howe, Mr. & Mrs. Hockey“ after he met them at a Detroit Vipers game in 1998. Colleen, also from Sandusky, and Gordie invited him to attend NHL All-Star games with them, and he appeared on a cereal box with the Howes this year. Proceeds from cereal sales went to the Howe Foundation, which assists children with physical and psychological needs. Kirkpatrick also helped start a campaign to build an arena in Sandusky and name it for Colleen.
"It's a sad, sad, sad day," Gordie Howe said in a statement. "Thank God he got to fulfill his dream of playing goalie in a professional hockey game. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his drive."
Kirkpatrick was not only a great human being, friend to many but a total inspiration to all…
Please leave your comments and feedback about Steven on our threaded discussion board here. To add a Posting to the news thread Click On Steve's name in the pop-up window. Then click on "New Thread" located as a piece of text art above & below the positings.
In remembrance of Steven, you can make a donation to the Sandusky—Sanilac County Hockey Assoc. Your donation will benefit the Colleen J. Howe Arena, which will give kids the opportunity to play/skate at a rink within their area. Please e-mail us at Stevenkirkpatrick@mrhockey.com for more details!
Thank you.
God Bless! and…HOWE!
Visitation is from 2-9 p.m. on September 7, 2001 at Hacker Funeral Parlors in Sandusky. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday the 8th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle.
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