After a trying year, students in Norwalk got a well-deserved treat today when former New York Rangers defenseman Tom Laidlaw played a game of ball hockey with them.  

Ponus Ridge Middle School students took part in the Junior Rangers program, which aims to get students across the tri-state involved in hockey.

Laidlaw led Friday's gym class outside with a game of ball hockey.

"When I was speaking to the kids, I told them, 'You're going to be able to accomplish things that you maybe didn't do in the past,'" he says.

Norwalk Public Schools Superintendent Alexandra Estrella says ball hockey will be part of gym curriculum for elementary and middle school students districtwide come fall, thanks to the program.

Estrella says Junior Rangers staff will train the teachers and provide the equipment at no cost to the district.

Junior Rangers says it's looking to bring ice hockey programs to the So-No Ice House as well.