Diabetes doesn't stop Regina's Teaghan Rice from blocking hockey pucks
The 10-year-old Regina goalie played in international tournaments in Europe
Saskatchewan kids with hockey dreams are in the thick of trying out for teams right now.
Teaghan Rice is one of those kids and he has pretty good credentials going into his Atom A tryouts. The 10-year-old Regina goalie is fresh off some big wins at international tournaments in Europe.
At the Czech Hockey Challenge Cup in August, his team took home silver in a pool of 32 teams.
While he's only 10, Rice has already overcome one obstacle that may have stopped some — diabetes.
"I want to be a goalie and when I retire I want to be a coach," Rice told Morning Edition host Sheila Coles. "Diabetes can't hold you back from anything you want to do."
Rice is already brushing up on both his dreams. He's put his skills into coaching other kids.
Diabetes can't hold you back from anything you want to do.- Teaghan Rice, 10
"I make a drill plan, then I bring it to practice and for like shuffles and all that, I do it with them," he said.
Rice is currently working with young hockey hopefuls between the ages of six and nine. He said there are two keys to success.
"Talent and hard work," he said. "I'm on the ice about three to five times a week."
If the young goalie gets his way, some day you'll see him in the NHL wearing black and yellow. When asked who he dreams of playing with, Rice said, "Boston Bruins."
