KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The off-season for the Kalamazoo Wings was longer than they’re used to after COVID-19 shut down the league in March 2020.

Over the summer, K-Wings veterans Justin Taylor and Eric Kattelus decided to hold driveway visits to help teach kids hockey fundamentals. Those visits brought joy to not only the kids, but Taylor and Kattelus as well.

“It’s been a lot fun. I’ve made a lot of new relationships with young kids and it’s nice to give back to the community I have been involved with in Kalamazoo and to watch the improvements and the smile on their faces every time I show up,” Taylor said.

The kids and players haven’t able to get on the ice for about six months and they have all been itching to have a hockey stick in their hands, even if it hasn’t been in a rink.

“I think it’s a little give and take, you know, being able to work with these kids when they don’t really have an option for on-ice experience we can get out to their driveway or meet at the park and give them the hockey experience everybody is longing for right now,” Kattelus said.

The Kalamazoo Wings held a “Hockey is for Everyone” promotion during their season and the players are helping prove that.

“Well hockey is a great game and there are so many people that want to do it and obviously finances become an issue and we want to bring awareness saying that hockey is for everyone and there is ways to get involved whether you play or be a part of it as a coach or volunteer and to make that more aware to the people of Kalamazoo that your kid or yourself can get involved hopefully this can help out a bit,” Taylor said.

Taylor hopes to get the help of the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association to bring awareness to their initiative.