Taten’s Warriors band together
Determined to show support for one of its own, the Sault Ste. Marie minor hockey community is rallying around 10-year old Taten Hammerberg.
The youngster, who has amazingly played the game with courage and vigour and with a prosthetic limb after having part of his leg amputated in 2013, has been battling cancer for three years.
As he continues his fight with the disease, Taten’s coach, Scott Smith, and other local teams have decided to recognize and support the youngster’s warrior spirit.
As coach, Smith began by having Taten’s teammates with the Grand Gardens Ice Hawks of the Soo Pee Wee Hockey League’s atom major division wear specially-designed Taten’s Warriors stickers on their helmets.
“After our team did that, we decided to try to get every hockey player in town to wear the Taten’s Warriors sticker,” said Smith.
Now, Smith and a number of his buddies who are involved in the game are asking for a minimum donation of $50 from all local minor hockey teams. In return for the $50, all players will get Taten’s Warriors stickers to wear on their helmets in support of the youngster.
Smith said that money raised will go to the Algoma Residential Community Hospice.
February 20 is the deadline for donations and individuals and groups outside hockey can “feel free to make a big or small contribution,” noted Smith, who is one of the really good guys in local minor hockey circles.
All donations will be collected by the Community First Soo Peewee Arena, said Smith. Those wishing to make a donation can contact arena manager Chad Bouchard.
Smith, who drafted Taten for his atom major team last fall, said the youngster “has become an inspiration to all of us.”
Taten, who has taken a break from hockey while undergoing further treatment, has shown a lot of heart, soul and character, according to Smith.
“When the season began and got going he was at every practice, every game and played a regular shift. He never wanted to be treated differently than any player on our team,” Smith said in praise of Taten.
Not only that, Taten fit in like any other player on the Grand Gardens team.
On a personal note, family friend Dr. Kevin Caruso serves as the trainer for the Grand Gardens team and has a son who plays with Taten. And Kevin has invited us to a number of games this season.
Thus, my wife Mary and I have watched the Grand Gardens team — including Taten — play on more than one occasion this season. And until Kevin pointed it out to us, we had no idea that Taten was playing with a prosthetic limb as he did not look out of place.
Let those of us who are able to show our support for Taten do just that by making a donation of any amount.
Thank you, in advance.
Scott Smith is the epitome of what a coach should be. He wasn’t thinking about winning games or goals scored when he chose Taten for his team. His team and us parents, grandparents, friends, spectators have been overwhelmed at times when watching this brave, energetic, enthusiastic young boy playing the game he so desperately wanted to play. Bravo, Scott Smith and thank you for the opportunity to meet this wonderful hockey player. Keep the donations, prayers and good thoughts coming everyone. Taten needs us all.
Very sad to hear of Taten’s passing early this morning. God bless Taten and his family.