Lonnie Hannah knows all about overcoming adversity. At the young age of 20, a thousand pound shelving unit collapsed on top of him, rendering Hannah paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t let that stop his competitive spirit, winning the wheelchair tennis US Open “D” division just months after his injury. He also went on to win the gold at the 2002 Parlympic Games in sled hockey.  Even cancer could not slow Hannah down. He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2005 and went through several months of chemotherapy. He continued to practice and even though he wasn’t in top physical condition, still managed to make the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey team that competed in Torino

Hannah’s fight and resolve served as a great motivating force for the Sled Hockey Team that won bronze in Torino. Lonnie was so respected by his teammates and fellow U.S. Paralympians that he was chosen to carry the flag for the U.S. delegation at the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games. In addition, Hannah received the Whang Youn Dai Overcome Prize, a coveted honor given to only two athletes (one male and one female) for best exemplifying Paralympic spirit.

After the 2006 Paralympics Lonnie took a break from playing with the National Team.  However, he didn't stop playing sled hockey.  He went home and started a brand-new sled hockey program in San Antonio, Texas as its player/coach.  There were not any sled hockey teams in Texas at that time.  The new sled hockey program he started consists primarily of men and women from our military who were injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The team is partnered with Operation Comfort and still plays today.  They participated in this year's USA Hockey Disabled Festival and took second place. When some of his players are ready to leave their military base in Texas after healing, they go home and continue playing hockey in their local area.  Because Lonnie started this team players are enjoying sled hockey all over the country. In addition, other teams are now starting in Texas because of the spark that Lonnie provided.

Lonnie has also been an assistant coach during the summer at the USA Hockey Sled Player Development Camp in Rochester, New York.  He loves to teach the kids the game of sled hockey and when he is finished playing with the national team hopes to continue coaching wherever needed.

Hannah has been married for 14 years to his wife Lindsay. They have a 9 year old boy who also plays hockey. One of Hannah’s favorite activities is hand cycling. He has ridden 500 miles across Iowa four years in a row at the Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Hannah is currently coaching sled hockey in San Antonio, helping wounded soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Major Achievements:

2006 – Bronze medal – Paralympic Winter Games
2004 - Silver medal - IPC World Championships
2002 – Gold medal-  Paralympic Winter Games
1995 – Won U.S. Open wheelchair tennis doubles championsips
1986 – Wheelchair tennis player of the year award
1985 – Won U.S. Open wheelchair tennis singles championships
1972 – Won U.S. roller speed skating gold medal

Max Maksimyadis, who plays goalie on the New York Raptors Special Hockey Team has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2008 USA Disabled Hockey Athlete of the Year.

The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to disabled hockey, improvement in their game, good sportsmanship on and off the ice, strong community and volunteer service, has strong leadership qualities and has acted as a role model for other athletes. This award is voted on by members of the USA Disabled Hockey Section from nominations solicited nationwide.

Max and a guest have been invited to the upcoming 2008 USA Hockey Annual Congress in June in Colorado Springs where he will be presented with his award at the USA Hockey Awards Dinner on Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

We congratulate Max on his fine accomplishment.

USA Hockey's Annual Congress is the yearly gathering of USA Hockey’s volunteer leaders, including members of the organization’s board of directors, councils, committees and sections. At each, some of the organization's most outstanding contributors and players are recognized. One of those awards is the Disabled Athlete of the Year.  This individual is honored at the awards banquet in front of the entire USA Hockey congregation.

Created in 2005, the USA Hockey Disabled Athlete of the Year Award annually recognizes the outstanding perseverance and dedication by a disabled hockey player through demonstrating the ability to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of excellence both on and off the ice. Click here for past recipients

Click here for award criteria and instructions to nominate.