Minnesota Wild star Matt Dumba hosts "Hockey Without Limits" event for the specially-abled

This year's Hockey Without Limits camp, held annually for the last three years, was quite special since Matt Dumba was present among the attendees. Dumba's teammates, including Ryan Reaves, Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Boldy, Brandon Duhaime, Connor Dewar, Mason Shaw, Jon Merrill, and Calen Addison, were also present.

Dumba mentioned in an interview that he thought of a camp like this years ago while skating on the same gigantic ice sheet at the Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval in Roseville city.

“That’s when the idea first came to me of hosting a camp here. It’s worked out great.”

Dumba is one of those players who knows what it's like to be in the shoes of someone different from the rest, primarily his peers. Dumba knows the importance of a child seeing someone who resembles them. When he was younger, he recalled being drawn to players like Jarome Iginla and Paul Kariya. Dumba didn't understand that he looked up to them because they resembled him until he was older.

“I started doing this stuff and trying to give back to myself. I realized, ‘Oh there must be some kind of connection there.' That’s why I believe representation matters.”

That underplays the situation. On Monday, more than 300 young people from all walks of life converged on the enormous ice sheet for the third annual Hockey Without Limits Camp. Dumba started the camp with the intention of increasing inclusivity and diversity in the sport and has succeeded in doing so.

Dumba said:

“We don’t leave anyone out. This really is hockey being for everyone. I think that phrase gets thrown out there a lot and doesn’t always get put into use. You’re seeing the definition of it right here. I’m pretty proud about that.”

Since refusing to stand for the national anthem while playing in the NHL bubble in 2020, Matt Dumba has made it his mission to increase youth access to the game. That's why he was so pleasantly surprised by the variety of attendees on Monday.

“You don’t see that in hockey all the time.”

Dumba places great importance on the camp's location on an outdoor rink. Such experiences still rank among his favorite childhood memories for him. Now that he has the opportunity, he is pleased to share his experience on such a large scale.

Dumba related the situation to his own childhood memories and said:

“We’ve had some kids make a couple of scenes not wanting to leave when their parents try to get them off the ice. I don’t blame them. I was right there when I was little too. Just always asking for five or 10 more minutes from mom.”

Matt Dumba seemed quite happy and proud that he brought such a significant change to so many kids' lives.

Matt Dumba's greatest performances

Matt Dumba's professional career took off in 2014-15 when he had eight goals and sixteen points in 58 games with the Wild. Dumba tied for the team lead among defensemen in the playoffs with four points, helping Minnesota win its first-round series against the St. Louis Blues.

Matt Dumba scored in double digits between 2015-16 and 2018-19, when he led all NHL defensemen with 12 goals in 21 games before tearing a pectoral muscle and undergoing season-ending surgery. In 2019-20, he scored 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 69 games.

Dumba also received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given to players who best exemplify leadership qualities on and off the ice and who have made significant humanitarian contributions to their communities.