Mansfield Announced Recipient of USA Hockey's Disabled Athlete of the Year

From: GoPrincetonTigers.com - Princeton,NJ,USA - May 27, 2005

Hearing impaired goaltender appeared in three games for Princeton as a freshman

May 27, 2005

Princeton, N.J. - Princeton freshman goaltender Jeff Mansfield was announced the recipient of USA Hockey's Disabled Athlete of the Year Award earlier today. Mansfield has been a member of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association for the past 11 years. He appeared in three games for the Tigers in his freshman season.

A hard worker who is extremely dedicated to training and self-improvement, Mansfield achieved his goal of beginning an Ivy League education while playing Division I hockey this spring when he completed his first season at Princeton. An architecture major, Mansfield played in three games for the Tigers.

Off the ice, Mansfield teaches at the Stan Mikita Hockey School where he has been recognized for his patience and ability to communicate with younger players. The fact that he communicates via sign language hasn't stopped him from also working as a volunteer coach in the Arlington area for the past four years.

Prior to his collegiate career, Mansfield played the 2003-04 season for New York Apple Core in the Eastern Junior Hockey League. He appeared in 35 games and compiled a 2.23 goals-against average with six shutouts. In 2002-03 while playing at Arlington (Mass.) High School, he was named to the Hockey Night in Boston All-Scholastic Team and also earned MIAA All-Academic Team selection. In addition, he was named MVP of the Greater Boston League. An excellent student, Mansfield attended the Learning Center for Deaf Children where he graduated as class valedictorian.

Communication is a challenge for the deaf and hard of hearing and Mansfield has worked hard to build bridges between players who are predominantly deaf and speak via sign language and those who are hard of hearing and verbal. Mansfield has been a leader in assuring that all players' methods of communication are respected and accommodated.

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. The award will be presented to Mansfield at USA Hockey's Annual Congress in mid-June.

© 2005 GoPrincetonTigers.com