To honor Peter Aquilone, a good friend who was instrumental to the launching of the Ace Bailey Got Skills program, we have created the Peter Aquilone Memorial Award. The award is for "Perseverance in Life Through Hockey," which is something Peter exemplified every day. We lost Peter on September 23, 2004 at the young age of 34, but his memory and legacy stay strong through the "Got Skills" program.

T.J. Sneath from the Anaheim Ducks Region had open heart surgery during Winter 2005 and came back to win the Accuracy, Shootout and Top Skills Competitions in Anaheim's local events as well as the 2006 Got Skills Nationals. Seth Butler from the Washington Capitals Region was presented with the Aquilone Award in 2007 after his return to hockey despite suffering from a Chordoma, a rare and serious cancer which created a tumor on the bone between his brain and spinal cord. This year, we recognized two deserving individuals for this award.

Paul Marino, born with a physical disability that made even the most basic tasks difficult, was put in skates before he was two ears old to try and strengthen his leg muscles. Not only did putting him on skates three times a week dramatically improve his situation, it introduced hockey into his twin brother John's life too. Despite all that he had to overcome, Paul now plays defense on a AA Squirt Major team. John competed at the Nationals this year. Bob Sweeney of the Boston Bruins presented Paul with his award.

Timothy Soulas Jr. was recognized for his dedicated to the sport of hockey after the events of 9/11 devastated his family with the tragic loss of his father. Using the disciplines hockey and his father taught him, Timothy instantly became a leader on and off the ice. His perseverance and dedication were especially important to his mother and five younger siblings, including Matthew who completed in a local Got Skills event this year. This tragedy has led him to become a source of strength for his family, an excellent student and a better hockey player. Timothy will be attending Villanova University in the fall. Todd Bailey, Ace Bailey's son, presented Timothy with his award.