Former Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Worrell traded the rink for the shoreline last week, joining veterans, scientists and volunteers at Virginia Key in Miami for a coastal cleanup effort tied to the NHL’s partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line.
After the horn
The work was staged on Virginia Key, the 1,000-acre barrier island near downtown Miami and close to Norwegian Cruise Line’s port operations. The site is considered a major ecological resource for the area, and the group focused on cutting down environmental hazards along the coast.
Norwegian Cruise Line organized the project through its Sail and Sustain program and teamed with Force Blue, a nonprofit that trains former Special Operations veterans for marine-conservation assignments alongside scientific crews.
Worrell, who skated in seven NHL seasons from 1997 through 2004, was among the volunteers on the ground. The former winger spent time with both the Panthers and Avalanche during his NHL career.
“The world is much bigger than hockey,” Worrell said while taking part in the cleanup. “We have to be responsible caretakers of the land and leave our children and grandchildren something they can enjoy. It can take hard work, but it helps make the world better.”
Debris Free Ocean, the Frost Science Museum and the Guy Harvey Foundation also supported the Virginia Key project.
Matthew Lewis, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s chief security officer and a former U.S. Navy SEAL, said the collaboration brought together values shared by athletes and service members.
“Teamwork, discipline, resilience, service and a commitment to excellence are central to this partnership,” Lewis said. “We are proud to support veterans while helping create meaningful opportunities that strengthen the communities we serve.”
The event continued the cruise line’s ongoing work with the NHL, using the partnership to support a marine-conservation mission in one of South Florida’s key coastal areas.
