Hockey Community Coming Together For Injured Kenny

Family and friends are coming to aid of a young Pittsburgh hockey player who suffered a severe spinal cord injury during a recent game.

Kevin Kenny, 20, a forward for the Pittsburgh Vengeance of the North American 3HL League, crashed into the boards in the first period of a game with the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks on November 16. Kenny reportedly could not feel anything below his waist following the crash. The 5’10,” 160 lb. former Quaker Valley High School standout underwent emergency surgery on Saturday and had a follow-up procedure as well. He remains in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. As a result of the injury, the teams postponed the November 17 “home and home” game in Cleveland.

The “Kevin Kenny Fund,” was created by Renee Heininger to help with ongoing health costs. “Our goal is to raise funds for Kevin's ongoing medical expenses,” posted Heininger at http://www.gofundme.com/5d9lrk. Organizers have a goal of $50,000. So far, nearly $19,000 has been pledged in only a few days. A Facebook page under “7 Kenny Strong” (Kenny wore Number 7 on his sweater) has been created to help promote the cause. Their mission statement reads, “The Mission of 7 Kenny Strong and the Kevin Kenny Fund is to provide support, both monetarily and emotionally, to the Kenny Family and to have a direct pipeline of this support to Kevin and his family.”

Donations have come in from a number of other teams in the league, including the Wisconsin Whalers, Toledo Cherokee, Cincinnati Cyclones, and the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks, the team Kenny’s Vengeance faced Saturday.

According to its website, the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), is one of nine USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior leagues. The league, now in its 4th year, “serves as one of the top training grounds in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in its classification.” The league also reportedly, “provides another worthy path for players to grow, on and off the ice, while being showcased in front of the entire junior, college and professional scouting community.” There are 21 teams from the East and Midwest in the league.

The Pittsburgh Vengeance, coached by Dan Dorsey, was known for years as the Junior Penguins.

Kenny was an established Captain of the Quaker Valley High School hockey team. He helped lead the team to the Class A Penguins Cup and state title in 2011-12. In that campaign, he scored 18 goals and had 39 assists.

This year for the Vengeance, Kenny played in 21 games, had six goals and 13 assists.

Support has come from all over Pittsburgh’s burgeoning hockey community. On the fundraising Facebook page, a picture is posted of players from Bethel Park and North Allegheny High School hockey teams all kneeling and praying for Kenny. Supporters are also using the #prayersforKenny and #prayforKevin hashtags all over Social Media.

Elementary school children have been making Get Well cards for Kenny and having them delivered by the Steel City Ice Renegades Youth Hockey Team. Anyone interested in sending a Get Well card can drop them off at the BladeRunners in Harmarville Pro Shop mail box, or mail them to “Cards for Kenny,” c/o Renee Heininger, 205 Carriage Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

T-shirts and wristbands bearing the “7KennyStrong” logo will be available by mail or at BladeRunners in Harmarville—the Vengeance’s home ice. Vengeance players will wear the 7 logo on their helmets in upcoming games.

Donations are being collected at any PNC Bank branch and family, friends and supporters are hosting a fundraising Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, November 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary Parish, 201 Ninth Street in Sharpsburg. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for kids.