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Andy Hedlund was the guest of honor at Kaiserslautern High School’s annual winter sports banquet. Hedlund, a member of Team USA and the Mannheim Adler professional hockey team, was honored with the chance to speak to the winter athletes. His message was loud and clear: “Work hard and never give up.”
Hedlund, himself, had a hard time making his own high school team. His coach did not believe he had what it took to make the varsity team, but he knew better. Not only did Hedlund make the team, but he was also able to captain the team his senior year. Hedlund’s message of perseverance was spot on for the KHS athletes as they listened attentively to each and every word spoken.
Ken Robinson, who teaches and coaches soccer at KHS, was requested by Principal Dr. Jennifer Beckwith to find a charismatic, highly respected and impressive guest speaker. It took Robinson about two seconds to make that determination. After all, Hedlund comes from a military family, graduated Suma Cum Laude with an MIS degree from Minnesota State University, and captained the U.S. National team during the recent Deutschland Cup. Team USA finished second against the Slovakian, German and Swiss national teams.
Hedlund was so impressed with the KHS athletes during his visit that he requested 30 tickets from the Adler organization for an upcoming game. To add to his generosity, Hedlund offered 10 additional “player select” tickets donated from his fellow Adler teammates. The tickets would then be given to those athletes who not only excel athletically, but excel academically as well.
For more information about Hedlund and the Adler professional hockey team, visit the new Army, Air Force, Adler Alliance (A4) Web site at www.adleralliance.com.
This new Web site was specifically designed for the military community to bring the sport of hockey to the forefront. The A4 site, influenced by Hedlund, was designed by fellow co-founder Robinson.
Together, they would create a new brand of hockey involvement through the establishment of three independent A4 chapters. Each chapter serves as its own Adler fan club (Mannheim, Heidelberg and the KMC).
A4 is a one-stop shop for hockey information for all military sites throughout Germany. Information about club hockey, military hockey, inline hockey and public skating can also be found there.
(Courtesy of Ken Robinson)
