"They're inspirational to all of us," Turris said after spending time with the Sled Preds. "We have tons of respect for what they do, and you want to come together and have success and show them we're thankful for their support too."
Throughout the month of February, the Nashville Predators Foundation and Ford Ice Center are hosting a series of programs and providing opportunities for the entire community to get involved in the sport of hockey. Other organizations included will be ABLE Youth, Oasis Center, Special Olympics Tennessee and Tennessee School for the Blind as well as local youth girls' and women's teams.
Ben Maenza, a Marine who lost both legs in 2010 while serving in Afghanistan, represented the Sled Preds out on the ice Thursday during the pregame singing of the national anthem. Suited up in full gear, Maenza took his spot on the home blue line alongside Preds players.
Sports were a constant for Maenza - who attended the game with Sled Preds teammates Joey Woodke, Eli Tice, Dan Heflin, Colt Norton and Arne Roaldsand - during his years growing up in Brentwood, Tennessee. The loss of his legs also meant the loss of his favorite hobbies and his sense of normalcy.
Though the first months were both physically and mentally trying and exhausting, Maenza refused to yield to apathy. He was still the same competitive, driven person who longed to find a way to return to the action and distraction sports provided.
"That's what I did for fun. Me and my buddies would get together and play basketball or play football," recalled Maenza of his youth. "Being able to go out there and move fast again and be part of exciting plays (in sled hockey), being reintroduced to that in a completely different atmosphere was so cool."
In the years since his injury, Maenza has competed in much more than sled hockey and wheelchair basketball though. He hand-biked from coast to coast and has completed major races like the Chicago, Boston and Music City marathons all before the age of 30.
For Maenza, sled hockey and sports serve as a reminder that life doesn't end at trauma and anything is possible.
"The thing I really like about sled hockey, unless you're a double amputee, you don't really know what someone's disability is out there," he said. "Some guys have some pretty serious disabilities, but out there on the ice they'll just smoke you."
Maenza found his fun again in hockey. For Turris, that's the message he wants to spread through the NHL's campaign of inclusivity.
Turris discovered it while starring for the Ottawa Senators, his home team for seven years before arriving in Nashville via trade in early November. At Ottawa, he and his wife, Julie, volunteered with the Capital City Condors, which promoted hockey for those with physical or intellectual disabilities.
They hope to continue similar work in their new city.
"One thing I learned with the Capital City Condors, the love that surrounds teams and players and families at the rink is something everybody should be a part of," Turris said. "I think it's important that everybody knows that hockey - well yeah, it's a competitive sport, but it's something everybody can share in.
"At the end of the day, you play it to have fun, and everybody should be able to have fun."
