Tampa Bay Lightning Partners with PRIHA for Hispanic Heritage Recognition.

-Marien Canales

Fue una tarde increíble. Darien y Kaeden ayudaron con la zona de tiro (Shooting Lane) animando y jugando para los niños. Llevaban el jersey de PRIHA y la gente sonreía al verla. Algunos le preguntaron a Darien sobre PRIHA, y él les explicó quiénes somos. 

Una vez, dentro del Benchmark Arena, caminando hacia mi asiento, la gente, al ver el logo de mi jersey y la gorra, sonreian, e incluso algunos se sorprendieron. 

Del Ligthning Foundation,Vinieron a tomar una foto de nuestro grupo de niños, y todos llevaban los jerseys y la gente alrededor aplaudiendo,mientras tomaban la foto.

Es un honor para mí llevar la camiseta de Puerto Rico, y mostrarle al mundo quiénes somos. Tuve que explicar, que sí, tenemos una comunidad puertorriqueña de hockey. Y estamos muy orgullosos de jugar representando a Puerto Rico.

Sunday, October 26th the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted PRIHA for Hispanic Heritage. It was an amazing afternoon where our 16U athletes Darien and Kaeden helped with the Shooting Lane area, cheering and playing for the kids. They wore their Puerto Rico jersey, and people would smile when they saw it. Once inside the Benchmark Arena, walking to our seats, and people seeing the logo on our jersey and hat, they would smile and even some were surprised.

A photographer representing The Lightning, came to take a photo of our group of kids, and all were wearing the jerseys with those around them cheering for them. It is an honor, for me, to wear the PR jersey and Merch, and show the world who we are. We had to explain that yes, we have a Puerto Rican hockey community. Most importantly that we are very proud of playing and representing Puerto Rico. 

Darien said,"Llevar el jersey con los colores de la bandera de Puerto Rico, me hace sentir orgulloso de mi isla y del equipo al que represento. "Wearing the Puerto Rican flag and colors made me feel a sense of pride for my island and for the team I'm representing"

Dennis. Reese said, "¡Me alegra mucho ver que el hockey se está expandiendo para incluir a la comunidad latina! Representar a Puerto Rico es un honor; pude sentir la emoción y la fuerte cultura que caracteriza a nuestra gente. I’m so glad to see that hockey is expanding to include the Latin community! Representing Puerto Rico is an honor, I could feel the excitement and strong culture our people are known for."