Tray Wade | President and CEO, EveryStep

Photos by Duane Tinkey
Story by Joe Gardyasz

Tray Wade’s love for ice hockey began eight years ago when his oldest daughter, then a shy 7-year-old, told him she would like to learn to play hockey.  

However, Hallye didn’t know how to skate, which was keeping her from getting on the ice to try hockey. So her dad made a deal with her: They would learn how to skate and play hockey together. It wasn’t long before they were on the rink, taking private lessons together. 

Wade, the president and CEO of the health care services nonprofit EveryStep, still suits up every Sunday during ice hockey season to play on one of the Central Iowa D League’s men’s teams. And both his daughters, Hallye, 15, and Norah, 13, enjoy competing on girls’ teams. They each enjoy playing defense. 

“It’s a blast,” he said with a smile as he skated quickly up and down the ice at Buccaneer Arena, where his league plays. “It’s only once a week, but it’s a heck of a workout. You come off the ice pretty well spent.” 

Des Moines’ adult hockey program has grown considerably over the past seven years, Wade said. “The first year there were maybe four teams. Now there are three different ‘old guy leagues.’ ” The men’s team players range in age from guys in their early 20s to people in their mid-40s like Wade. The oldest player is in his mid-60s. 

Over the years Wade has been successful in persuading a couple of his co-workers, among them the president of the EveryStep Foundation, to join the league as well. 

Getting out on the ice at Bucs Arena for photos, it’s clear that Wade’s two girls are having a great time with their dad. 

Having her dad learn to skate and play ice hockey “is really cool,” Hallye said as she stopped by the goal for a breather. “It’s something that the three of us share and have in common. It brings us all together.”