>> A LOCAL HOCKEY PLAYER ISN’T LETTING ANYTHING KEEP HIM OFF THE ICE GULF COAST SPORTS REPORTER BRADLEY SCHIMEL SHOWS US HOW A LOCAL ATHLETE ISN’T ALLOWING A DIAGNOSIS. STOP HIM FROM PLAYING THE GAME. HE LOVES. >> HOCKEY PRACTICE DOESN’T USUALLY LOOK LIKE THIS. BUT TODAY THE 12 U JUNIOR EVERBLADES TOOK A GLIDE. >> IN THEIR TEAMMATES SKATES, THE BLUE REPRESENTS DIABETES AND THAT YOU’RE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO JUGGLE AND KEEP THE BLEW UP IN THE CURE DIABETES IN THE KIDS HERE. GOT SEE HOW HENRI HAS TO MANAGE DIABETES DURING HOCKEY PRACTICE. IT’S LIKE JUGGLING A DURING HOCKEY PRACTICE HIS TEAMMATES. DON’T HAVE TO JUGGLE A BALLOON. EVERY TIME THEY TAKE THE ICE. >> IT’S BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY FOR HENRY BAR FOOT SINCE 2022, I JUST DIDN’T I SAW LIKE MYSELF. >> USUALLY I HAD MORE ENERGY. AND I YELLED GO LONGER. BUT I JUST I COULDN’T. HENRY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE ONE DIABETES, A CONDITION THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE IN ALL ASPECTS. I BOUNCE LIKE MEALS TOURNAMENTS. I BOUNCE ALL WITH HOCKEY. >> I BALANCE THAT THEY’RE ALL MY LIFE AND I TRY TO HAVE A GOOD DAY EVERY DAY. >> I SEE. IS CHIEFS GOING RED AND RED AND I JUST CONSTANTLY CHECKING TO MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, HE NEEDS WATER. GATOR AID MAY BE NEED SO COUPLE SKITTLES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT JUST TO KEEP THEM GOING AND HEALTHY. >> IT’S BEEN 3 YEARS SINCE HIS PANCREAS BECAME DYSFUNCTIONAL. HE’S STILL THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE 12 U BLADES. >> I COME A LONG WAY. HE WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS WASN’T GOING LET HIM STOP. AND SO WE’RE EXTREMELY PROUD OF HIM. >> FEEL SO LUCKY TO HAVE GOOD TEAMMATES THAT. ACTUALLY THAT CARE ABOUT ME. >> IN ESTERO,
Lee County youth hockey player balances diabetes and his love for the game
Updated: 6:15 PM EST Dec 19, 2025
It’s not often that hockey practice features blue balloons on the ice, but the 12U Junior Everblades made a special exception as they took a glide in their teammate’s skates.Henry Barfoot’s mother, Elissa Barfoot, said, “The balloon represents diabetes, and that you’re constantly having to juggle and keep the balloon up in the air, and keep your diabetes in check. The kids here got to see how Henry has to manage his diabetes during hockey practice. It’s like juggling a balloon during hockey practice.”While his teammates don’t have to juggle a balloon every time they take the ice, it’s been a different story for Henry Barfoot since 2022.12U Junior Everblades player Henry Barfoot said, “I just didn’t feel like myself out there. I usually had more energy, and I would be able to go longer, but I just couldn’t.”Henry was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a condition that changed his life in all aspects.Henry said, “I had balanced meals, tournaments, I balanced that all with hockey. I balanced that throughout my life, and I try to have a good day every day.”HEAT Training owner and trainer Miranda Hartlieb said, “I see his cheeks getting red and red, and I just constantly check in to make sure he needs water, Gatorade, maybe needs a couple Skittles or something like that just to keep him going and healthy.”It’s been three years since his pancreas became dysfunctional, but he’s still the heart and soul of the 12u Blades.Elissa Barfoot said, “He’s really come a long way. He was determined that this wasn’t going to let him stop him, so we’re extremely proud of him.”Henry said, “I feel so lucky to have good teammates that care about me.”Henry refuses to back down in spite of the obstacles thrown his way, and he hopes to someday play hockey collegiately.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
ESTERO, Fla. —
It’s not often that hockey practice features blue balloons on the ice, but the 12U Junior Everblades made a special exception as they took a glide in their teammate’s skates.
Henry Barfoot’s mother, Elissa Barfoot, said, “The balloon represents diabetes, and that you’re constantly having to juggle and keep the balloon up in the air, and keep your diabetes in check. The kids here got to see how Henry has to manage his diabetes during hockey practice. It’s like juggling a balloon during hockey practice.”
While his teammates don’t have to juggle a balloon every time they take the ice, it’s been a different story for Henry Barfoot since 2022.
12U Junior Everblades player Henry Barfoot said, “I just didn’t feel like myself out there. I usually had more energy, and I would be able to go longer, but I just couldn’t.”
Henry was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a condition that changed his life in all aspects.
Henry said, “I had balanced meals, tournaments, I balanced that all with hockey. I balanced that throughout my life, and I try to have a good day every day.”
HEAT Training owner and trainer Miranda Hartlieb said, “I see his cheeks getting red and red, and I just constantly check in to make sure he needs water, Gatorade, maybe needs a couple Skittles or something like that just to keep him going and healthy.”
It’s been three years since his pancreas became dysfunctional, but he’s still the heart and soul of the 12u Blades.
Elissa Barfoot said, “He’s really come a long way. He was determined that this wasn’t going to let him stop him, so we’re extremely proud of him.”
Henry said, “I feel so lucky to have good teammates that care about me.”
Henry refuses to back down in spite of the obstacles thrown his way, and he hopes to someday play hockey collegiately.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.