Rivier Men's Ice Hockey Signs Brayden Potorski through Team IMPACT
NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier men's ice hockey team signed 11-year-old Brayden Potorski as its newest team member through Team IMPACT, head coach Shaun Millerick announced last Thursday.
Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
"On behalf of the entire Rivier University men's ice hockey team, we are thrilled to have officially signed Brayden through our partnership with Team IMPACT," said Millerick. "Brayden has displayed great resilience after being dealt a difficult hand and has managed to remain on the ice playing the sport he loves. I am confident that the impact Brayden has on our team will far outweigh any impression we leave on him. I look forward to having Brayden and his family at future practices, games, and other team activities, to give him the full Rivier Hockey experience!"
"Every child has a story. Brayden's story is about an incredibly brave boy full of grit," said Brayden's mother, Charleen De Stefano. "Three years ago, we didn't recognize the symptoms of a chronic autoimmune disease. "Then, he stepped off the ice at hockey camp having a knee effusion with widespread inflammation and involvement in five joints. He went through multiple needle aspirations, x-rays, and MRIs to be diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The doctor recommended and we thought he would have to give up hockey. For months, we didn't know if his body or his heart hurt more. His body resisted many treatments, but currently, he has been successful with daily medications and injections. But, most importantly, he has returned to the ice with this invisible disease, determined to prove them wrong. He manages the symptoms of the disease and all the side effects of his medications every day. We don't know what it will bring, but a strong social support system plays an even more crucial role in his overall health and well-being. Now, Brayden has a TEAM to enrich his journey and help him light the lamp."
Rivier University has worked with Team IMPACT for the past 12 years, matching children across its baseball, men's basketball, men's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, and men's and women's soccer teams.
"Team IMPACT is excited to see Brayden join the Raiders," said Emma Simches, Regional Director of Programs, Northeast at Team IMPACT. "We are proud to work alongside Rivier University, their athletic department, and coaching staff to create lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes between student-athletes and their Team IMPACT teammates."
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 3,000 children with 700+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Media Contacts
For Rivier University: Nick Perenick, nperenick@rivier.edu
For Team IMPACT: Katie DePaolo, kdepaolo@teamimpact.org
