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Santa Clarita Today
By the People, for the People
Congressman Honors Local Hockey Team After Tragedy
Rep. George Whitesides wore a Santa Clarita Lady Flyers jersey during the annual Congressional Hockey Challenge.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:07pm
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A congressional hockey game serves as a backdrop to honor a local youth team's resilience after a tragic accident.Santa Clarita TodayRep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, recently participated in the annual Congressional Hockey Challenge, where he wore a Santa Clarita Lady Flyers jersey to honor the local team after a tragic accident in January that killed one of the players' fathers. The Lady Flyers 12-and-under team went on to win the championship despite the tragedy.
Why it matters
The Congressional Hockey Challenge is an annual event that raises money for charities that expand accessibility to ice hockey. Whitesides' gesture to honor the Lady Flyers brought national attention to the team's resilience in the face of tragedy.
The details
The Congressional Hockey Challenge pits federal lawmakers and congressional staff against lobbyists in a hockey game. Whitesides wore the Lady Flyers jersey to show support for the team after a snowplow collided head-on with one of their team vans in January, injuring five players and killing Manny Lorenzana, the father of one of the players. Despite the tragedy, the Lady Flyers 12-and-under team went on to win the Western Girls Hockey League Playoffs championship.
- The Congressional Hockey Challenge has been running since 2009.
- The tragic accident involving the Lady Flyers occurred in January 2026.
- The Lady Flyers 12-and-under team won the championship following the accident.
The players
Rep. George Whitesides
A Democratic congressman representing California's 25th district, which includes the city of Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita Lady Flyers
A local youth hockey team from Santa Clarita, California that competes in the Western Girls Hockey League.
Manny Lorenzana
The father of one of the Lady Flyers players who was killed in a tragic accident involving the team's van.
The takeaway
Whitesides' gesture to honor the Lady Flyers during the Congressional Hockey Challenge brought national attention to the team's resilience in the face of tragedy and the importance of initiatives that expand access to ice hockey for youth.
