Franklin resident prepares for Paralympic Winter Games with US Men’s Sled Hockey Team
newschannel5.com | by Hannah McDonald | February 2022 | Link to Article
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Nashville is playing host to the U.S. Men’s Sled Hockey Team for their final few practices before the Paralympic Winter Games. The team is practicing at Ford Ice Center in Antioch until Wednesday. A Franklin resident and former Marine is a defenseman. Joseph “Joey” Woodke most recently played for the Nashville Sled Preds.” In the military, we really had to rely on each other and trust each other to do our own jobs so we can succeed,” said Woodke. “It’s the same in thing in hockey. I’m a defenseman, so if I don’t trust my forwards to do their job then I can’t do mine.”Woodke, who lost both his legs and damaged his right ear after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan, has played with the national team for three years.”That team aspect that I learned growing up and then got reinforced in the military it’s huge. When it comes to team sports, especially at this level, when we’re going up against like Canada and Russia, if they see you’re not getting along they’re going to take advantage of that and make you pay,” Woodke said. The athlete admires his fellow Paralympians.