Thunderbirds Announce Appearance From Wrestling Star Zach Gowen at Charity Sled Hockey Game

Winston-Salem, NC - The Carolina Thunderbirds will take part in a charity sled hockey game against the Winston-Salem Ice Hawks Sled Team on Sunday, March 24 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex. At that event, professional wrestler and promoter Zach Gowen will be making an appearance as part of the day's festivities. Gowen will also serve as a celebrity assistant coach for the Thunderbirds game Friday night against the Elmira Enforcers.

Gowen is a current professional wrestler in the independent circuits who has the notable distinction of competing with only one leg . Due to a cancer diagnosis as a child, he lost his left leg due to amputation. He is the first one-legged competitor in professional wrestling and broke the accessibility barrier in WWE being the first person ever to compete with one leg.

He has also appeared in Ring of Honor and was a competitor in the American Ninja Warrior series in 2016. He currently travels the country as a youth motivational speaker with CoolSpeak, LLC., a youth engagement company. 

"We're thrilled to be able to bring Zach to the Triad this weekend" Thunderbirds President/GM Scott Brand said. "His story is very inspirational and it will be great having him on the bench Friday and then as a celebrity appearance during the sled hockey game Sunday."

Also on the docket for Gowen this weekend on top of assistant coaching and sled hockey are speaking at various school assemblies in the area and an AML Wrestling event Saturday night.

Gowen's appearance will highlight the Thunderbirds vs Ice Hawks sled game on Sunday. Tickets are free and donations are encouraged to help benefit the sled hockey program here in Winston-Salem. Puck drop for the sled game is at 4 P.M.