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.

2009 Peter Aquilone Memorial Award Recipient - Matthew Halvorson

"Matt isn't the biggest kid on his team but he sure does have one of the biggest hearts"

Matthew deals with major health challenges on a daily basis. Matthew began skating at 18 months of age and was never a very sizable kid, in height or weight. Matthew would get very frustrated for he was one of the least skilled players on his team. The presence of hockey in his life as well as the support from his coaches and teachers began to make a difference. Matthew became one of the players on the team that truly led and energized the team. Matthew appreciates why he is different and is secure in educating the many coaches he interacts with. Matthew does this by explaining why he learns differently and how his challenges make him different than the other kids they may have worked with. Through playing hockey Matthew has learned many life skills that have helped him in understanding and dealing with his complications. Matthew will be competing at Nationals this year.