The sound of hockey and the historic night in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Hockey usually announces itself. The sounds inside an arena are unmistakable.

For James Tinder, those sounds have never been part of the story.

\"I was born deaf and so I grew up being deaf my entire life,\" said Tinder.

Still, he loves the game. Whether its the speed, the hits, or the energy inside the arena.

\"We can’t hear. We don’t have consistent access,\" said Tinder.

Sometimes being deaf at a live sporting event means missing the conversation happening all around you. That is, until now.

“To be honest with you, I wouldn\'t expect this,\" said Milwaukee Admirals player Oasis Weisblatt.

All around the arena, on Friday night, there were hands, moving. In the stands and high up above, on the big screen.

\"It\'s all things so that everybody feels like they\'re part of the show,\" said Jon Greenberg, president of Milwaukee Admirals

It\'s hockey history, told without saying a word. The Milwaukee Admirals hosted what\'s believed to be the first-ever hockey game told in American sign language.

\"It\'s a night of being inclusive of a community that may not normally get a chance to come to the sporting events and enjoy them fully,\" said Greenberg.

Out on the ice, one player understands that world better than most.

\"It was my dream to do this. And for me to do it now, it\'s very cool,\" said Weisblatt.

Weisblatt is a CODA – Child of Deaf Adults.

\"They taught me sign language. Everyone knows sign language when they\'re a baby,\" said Weisblatt.

Sign language was his first language.

\"They learned sign language prior to speaking and learning how to talk,\" said Karl Taylor, the Admirals coach.

Now, Weisblatt\'s childhood language fills the building.

\"To make everyone feel involved, to make the deaf community involved,\" said Weisblatt.

He’s not the only one. Jason Altmann is the Chief Operating Officer for PXB and a deaf broadcaster for the NHL and ASL. For Altmann, the moment carries years of meaning.

“For us to come together and celebrate our language, our community, and our culture. And to have a CODA on the ice plane, it\'s such an exciting time,\" said Altmann. \"I remember when I was a young kid, I loved watching sports, especially sports center, watching different games on TV. And I wish I could be in that profession, but there were no deaf role models.”

Today, what once felt impossible is a reminder.

“For deaf kids out there, dream big,\" said Altmann.

When doors open up – people will come.

“We want to have opportunity as well to be a part of society. When we make things accessible, we will come in droves,\" said Altmann.

In the stands, Tinder watches the game, the rush of hockey and the joy of being surrounded by friends.

\"It’s inspiring,\" said Tinder.

He might not be able to hear the crowd, but tonight Tinder feels it. Tonight, this game, this crowd speaks his language.