Zebras Care in Minny

On January 11th, 2010, following a game in Minnesota between the Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL officials Greg Devorski, Eric Furlatt, Brian Pochmara and Ryan Galloway were visited by some very special guests.

Ryan, Morgan and Tristan right in the goal crease.

Morgan Houston, his brother Tristan and their dad Mark, stopped by to meet the officials in the dressing room. The Houston family was in town as Morgan had to have surgery the following day, but was able to take in the game. Morgan was having surgery on his legs as a follow-up procedure to one he had previously undergone.

As soon as the Houstons’ got down to the room, you could immediately tell that the kids were having a thrill, being able to meet the officials and have their pictures taken with the guys. Morgan’s dad Mark is a hockey official as well and, as it turns out, Tristan took his first officiating course this season and will be working his first game very soon with his dad. A few years back, Morgan had been given a jersey by NHL linesman Vaughan Rody and was excited to finally have the chance of meeting some NHL officials.

The 4 Officials along with Tristan, Morgan and Mark.

After some great conversation, story telling and pictures, Morgan and Tristan were taken down to the ice surface to get a chance to see what it is like at ice level and to see the Zambonis up close. Both Morgan and Tristan could not believe how big the arena seemed from down there, and had a huge thrill when they got to go out to center ice and look around.

The next day, Morgan was visited at the Shriners’ Hospital in Minneapolis where he was surrounded by family. He was recovering quite well from his surgery [judging by the empty candy dish beside him!!] and Mark said the procedure had been a success. Morgan had a huge smile on his face when he talked about the experience from the night before and said that his favorite thing was going out on the ice to look around.

A very special thanks goes to Rachel Schuldt, Manager of Community Relations from the Minnesota Wild for providing gift bags to the kids with great Wild items. Rachel and the entire Wild organization have been great supporters of the Zebras Care program for the past several seasons and their help is very much appreciated. Thanks also to Tony DaCosta from the Wild for some other special gifts he sent down for Morgan and Tristan from the team.

Although the Houston’s were to be heading back home the day after the surgery, it turns out that they had been given tickets by the hospital to attend another Wild game that night, this time being able to sit in special box seats!! No chance they were going to turn down that opportunity and had another great night in Minnesota.

Everyone at the NHLOA, the Zebras Care program and especially the officials involved in the visit wish Morgan all the best. As well, a big thanks to the entire Houston family for allowing us the privilege of meeting both Morgan and Tristan. Good luck to Tristan as well, as he begins his officiating career. Maybe one day, it will be him that has the chance to be out on the ice at a Wild game as a referee or linesman.

Ryan Galloway