March 9: Day 6

It was Opening Ceremony day here in PyeongChang, South Korea, as the cold temperatures eased up a bit before the 2018 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team took part in the Athletes Parade.

PRESIDENT JIM SMITH ARRIVES
Ahead of tonight’s Opening Ceremony, Jim Smith, president of USA Hockey, arrived here in PyeongChang, South Korea, along with JJ O’Connor, USA Hockey’s disabled chairperson. Smith, who has assisted players like Kevin McKee (Chicago, Ill.) and Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) become national and Paralympic-level athletes, will be with the team throughout the duration of the tournament.

IMMEDIATE REACTION
While 10 players have previously experienced walking in the Opening Ceremony of a Paralympic Winter Games, seven members of the 2018 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team took part in an Opening Ceremony for the first time.

“From beginning to end, the whole thing was fun,” said Jack Wallace (Franklin Lakes, N.J). “It was just an honor to walk out with my teammates. With this behind, now its time too turn the page and start focusing on our next opponent.