The Chicago Hockey Initiative is thrilled to introduce our 13th Microgrant recipient for 2016! This is Panayiotis. Panayotis lives on the Northwest Side and plays youth hockey in Skokie. He is pictured with CHI president Patrick at Gunzo’s Hockey Headquarters, making some equipment purchases for the upcoming ice hockey season.

When asked why he enjoys the the game of hockey, Panayiotis replied, “I really love moving around so quickly!”  We know the feeling!  Panayiotis’ mother, Joanne, wrote that she has enjoyed watching her son learn how to be part of a team while also developing leadership skills, and also listed commitment, sportsmanship, and respect as values he has learned from playing hockey. Panayiotis’ teacher, Ms. Panayiotopoulos, wrote that he “helps other feel more certain that they can reach challenging goals. He is trustworthy and optimistic.” What a great assessment of character in a young person! We at the Chicago Hockey Initiative are proud to support student-athletes like Panayiotis and grow the game in Chicagoland!