There are few young men from New York who make it into professional hockey. My son, Louis, is embarking on that career now but the inspirational story here for other young people and their families are the sacrifices that must be made to get there.

Louis exemplifies the dedication, focus and extraordinary commitment required. So I might add does my wife, Wendy, and the coaches along the way who have continued to support Louis including, but not limited to Dan Marshall, Phil Hills and his present coach at Northeastern, Greg Cronin, who this year was named as Hockey East's Coach of the Year.

Thomas F. Liotti

(Editor's Note: Thomas F. Liotti is a Westbury Village Justice and private practice attorney in Garden City.)