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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A 12-year-old Rockford hockey player competes with two high-level teams, despite having only one arm.
Evan Scott has been skating since he was 2 years old.
“I wanted to play, like, it was a fun sport. So I just wanted to keep playing,” he said.
Despite being born without a left arm above the elbow, he never slowed down. He plays with the Rockford Junior Ice Hogs and the Rockford Hockey Club.
“It’s really fun,” he said.
Oak Hewer, the Rockford Park District’s hockey coordinator, said he has known Evan since he was 5.
“He’s just another kid on the ice,” Hewer said. “Seeing him on the bench and interacting and competing on the ice, it never crossed my mind to treat him any differently than any of the other players, as far as fairness or holding him accountable for things. He’s just a kid out there that’s figured it out and, working really hard.”
Over the years, Evan said one of his biggest challenges was figuring out a method to hold the hockey stick.
“When I first started, they kind of let me try some things, and I found that if I just stuck it under my arm [I could] play,” he explained.
“He’s a great teammate. He’s gritty. He’s tough. He’s skilled. But to see somebody who’s able to overcome challenges like he’s had and just take it in stride, like it’s nothing, it’s really impressive to see,” Hewer said.