Push to Walk Cheers on US Hockey Team and NJ Olympian Kenny Agostino

(February15/Oakland) – In the pre-pandemic days of 2019, Kenny Agostino, a Flanders native and professional ice hockey player, visited Push to Walk, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other mobility-related conditions maintain their overall fitness and health. He took the time to meet with individuals working out at PTW to understand their unique challenges and training routines and to show his support. Now PTW is paying it forward as they root for Agostino, a member of the Men’s US Olympic Ice Hockey Team.

“He understood that individuals who are paralyzed or mobility impaired share the same commitment to training to achieve their optimal performance as do professional athletes,” comments Darren Templeton, PTW co-founder and former high school athlete who was paralyzed after a diving accident.

The Olympics — and inspiration provided by Agostino and so many Push to Walk supporters — prompted PTW trainers to organize their own “Olympic” events for their clients this week, including wheelchair races and team competitions. There won’t be any Olympic medals for their achievements, but they are hoping that Agostino and the Men’s Ice Hockey Team bring one home.

Agostino, a former forward for the NJ Devils and other NHL teams, now plays in the KHL with Torpedo Nizhny Nogorod. He is currently a forward on the Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team competing in China.