USA Hockey has recognized BVA Director of District 1 John O’Connell as the National Disabled Athlete of the Year. John was one of 12 individuals honored at USA Hockey’s President’s Awards Dinner on June 6 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center as part of its four-day annual meeting.

Hockey has been a lifelong love for John, who began playing at age 7 and never stopped throughout his growing-up years in New York City.  John is now a member of USA Hockey’s Warrior and Blind Hockey disciplines, playing with the New Jersey Warriors and with New York Metro Blind Hockey. He joined BVA in 2019 and has served as the secretary of the New Jersey Regional Group since 2022. He is also a graduate of the BVA Ambassador program.

Learn more about John’s dedication to hockey and his service both on and off the ice in two separate news clips recently released by USA Hockey News.