Members of the Missouri Mavericks hockey team traded their skates and sticks for a hammer and some nails Monday afternoon.
The Mavs participated in a Habitat for Humanity project on South Park Avenue in Independence.
“We actually contacted Habitat for Humanity to see where we could help,” Mavs vice president of communications Patrick Armstrong said as he helped Habitat’s on-site manager Scott Willoughby move some sheet rock in the living room of the dwelling that the Martinez family of seven will soon call home.
“When I asked the guys to be a part of this, everyone wanted to come. We have all our guys here with the exception of three – two had speaking engagements and one had a doctor’s appointment.”
Those three players were replaced by Dalyn Hillman, wife of head coach Scott Hillman; Dorie Christian, wife of player/assistant coach Jeff Christian; and Samantha Simmons, fiancée of forward Simon Watson. All three rolled up their sleeves and gave the boys a hand.
“My old man handed me a hammer when I was 12 because he didn’t think the hockey thing would work out,” Mavericks forward Kyle Bochek said. “I’m not saying I know a whole lot about building a home, but I can offer some support and drive in a few nails.
“What’s so great about this place, and the place where we’re working, is that the family has five kids and we’re working on their bedrooms downstairs. A lot of us said a little prayer before we came over here.
“We’re all new to this community, and we want to be a part of it. We want to get out in the community and do more than sign a few autographs after the games. The Habitat for Humanity folks are amazing. We come and volunteer for a few hours, but they work here12-14 hours a day.
“They want to get this family in here before Christmas, and I’d like to be here when they move in. It would be great to see the expression on their faces when they see their new home.”
Forward Jeff MacDermid, who just joined the team a week ago and already has become a fan favorite with big goals in the Mavericks’ sweep of the Wichita Thunder this past weekend, agrees with his teammate.
“I feel so good, so proud to be over here helping on this house,” MacDermid said. “I think the boys on the team know how lucky we all are to be playing hockey, and we know this is going to be one of the best Christmas presents this family ever receives.
“I think we all might come back when they move into the house, just so we can meet them and wish them luck.”
Despite the cold and wet conditions outside, the Mavericks players spent nearly four hours working on the Independence home.
“They’re great workers,” Willoughby said. “So far, no one has drilled a hole through something he shouldn’t have. And I think they’re having fun.”
They certainly were in the basement, where the players were getting on each other for their lack of expertise in the world of hanging sheetrock.
“We might not know a lot about what we’re doing, but we know we’re doing a good thing,” said defenseman Sean Perkins, who was working upstairs with Willoughby. “This is going to be a great Christmas present for this family, and we’re all going to feel like we were part of it. And that’s a good feeling.”
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Members of the Missouri Mavericks hockey team traded their skates and sticks for a hammer and some nails Monday afternoon.
The Mavs participated in a Habitat for Humanity project on South Park Avenue in Independence.
“We actually contacted Habitat for Humanity to see where we could help,” Mavs vice president of communications Patrick Armstrong said as he helped Habitat’s on-site manager Scott Willoughby move some sheet rock in the living room of the dwelling that the Martinez family of seven will soon call home.
“When I asked the guys to be a part of this, everyone wanted to come. We have all our guys here with the exception of three – two had speaking engagements and one had a doctor’s appointment.”
Those three players were replaced by Dalyn Hillman, wife of head coach Scott Hillman; Dorie Christian, wife of player/assistant coach Jeff Christian; and Samantha Simmons, fiancée of forward Simon Watson. All three rolled up their sleeves and gave the boys a hand.
“My old man handed me a hammer when I was 12 because he didn’t think the hockey thing would work out,” Mavericks forward Kyle Bochek said. “I’m not saying I know a whole lot about building a home, but I can offer some support and drive in a few nails.
“What’s so great about this place, and the place where we’re working, is that the family has five kids and we’re working on their bedrooms downstairs. A lot of us said a little prayer before we came over here.
“We’re all new to this community, and we want to be a part of it. We want to get out in the community and do more than sign a few autographs after the games. The Habitat for Humanity folks are amazing. We come and volunteer for a few hours, but they work here12-14 hours a day.
“They want to get this family in here before Christmas, and I’d like to be here when they move in. It would be great to see the expression on their faces when they see their new home.”
Forward Jeff MacDermid, who just joined the team a week ago and already has become a fan favorite with big goals in the Mavericks’ sweep of the Wichita Thunder this past weekend, agrees with his teammate.
“I feel so good, so proud to be over here helping on this house,” MacDermid said. “I think the boys on the team know how lucky we all are to be playing hockey, and we know this is going to be one of the best Christmas presents this family ever receives.
“I think we all might come back when they move into the house, just so we can meet them and wish them luck.”
Despite the cold and wet conditions outside, the Mavericks players spent nearly four hours working on the Independence home.
“They’re great workers,” Willoughby said. “So far, no one has drilled a hole through something he shouldn’t have. And I think they’re having fun.”
They certainly were in the basement, where the players were getting on each other for their lack of expertise in the world of hanging sheetrock.
“We might not know a lot about what we’re doing, but we know we’re doing a good thing,” said defenseman Sean Perkins, who was working upstairs with Willoughby. “This is going to be a great Christmas present for this family, and we’re all going to feel like we were part of it. And that’s a good feeling.”
