Photo Credit: Delaware Thunder
Giving back to the community has become routine for athletes, and sports organizations to adopt throughout the world. Charity in most cases brings smiles to people’s faces, and it really makes those donating for a cause feel good about themselves. Just ask Kevin Hayes after he donated pizzas made by Angelo’s pizza in South Philly, to which Hayes gave them to medical staffers at local hospital.
Bryce Litke, a defenceman for the Delaware Thunder, was honored by the Thunder with the community service award approximately two weeks ago. If Litke wasn’t on the ice, then he was more often than not at a Delaware School throughout the First State helping kids, and staff alike. Litke just appears to have a lot of devotion to helping the youth succeed, and become good individuals in the future. Who knows, maybe Litke helped a kid that was struggling mentally, and now has a new found of avenue for success thanks to Litke.
The young 21-year-old in Litke, not only was a solid stay at home defenseman for the Thunder, but he would sign tons of autographs after every home game. He wouldn’t leave until the last fan got an autograph. I attended multiple Thunder games this season, some ended at 930 pm. Litke could be seen signing autographs at around 1030-11pm on some occasions.
Litke hails from Winnipeg, MB, CAN. He was born on December 15, 1998, and that was the day a hockey player was born. Litke I’m sure started playing hockey practically from birth, and really just has a keen hockey hockey sense. Litke is very good at anticipating plays, and just has a knack to be in the right spot defensively. For the most part he plays a mistake free game, and won’t blow you away with his stats offensively (1g,5a in 27 games played with the Thunder). However, he is that reliable defenseman every team covets in the FPHL (Federal Prospect Hockey League).
There is not one player on this Thunder team that would have anything bad to say about Litke. Litke is a community hero in Delaware, and it’s great to see this type of player rewarded for his efforts off the ice. It’s not always about performing on the ice, a player has to perform off the ice, as well. A player like Litke doesn’t come around often, and the Thunder are blessed to have him in just their first year of existence.
