Special Hockey International

Kitchener Confirms Host Facilities for 2013 Tournament

Kitchener Minor Hockey Association, in collaboration with the City of Kitchener, will be hosting the 19^th annual Special Hockey International Tournament during Tuesday March 12 to Saturday March 16, 2013. The tournament was advanced one day to provide opportunity for teams travelling a distance to utilize Sunday March 17 as “getaway/travel” day.

The Host Committee Management Committee is pleased to confirm the facilities that will be utilized for the event.  John Thompson, chair for the tournament announced “The SHI 2013 Host Committee is pleased to confirm two outstanding facilities as venues for this first-class event. Headquarters will be the venerable Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, affectionately referred to as ‘The Aud’.

The main ice surface, the Dom Cardillo Rink, with seating for 6,000+ fans, is home to the Kitchener Rangers of the Canadian Hockey League. Two attached Olympic sized ice surfaces are the Kinsmen and Kiwanis Rinks.

The secondary facility for overflow games is the new Activa Sports Complex, comprised of two ice surfaces – the Patrick J. Doherty and KMHA Alumni rinks.”

With five quality ice surfaces available, the stage is set for Kitchener’s Host Committee to welcome teams from Canada, England and United States of America. Building on the success of previous events, Kitchener aims to make the 2013 tournament a truly memorable and engaging event.

For updated information as it is announced, visit the Host Committee website at  www.shikitchener2013.ca

 Contact: John Thompson, Chair, Host Committee

Phone 519-884-4050 –   e-mail: sstj99@gmail.com     www.shikitchener2013.ca

Special Hockey International Tournament 2012

The Werewolves of London are honoured to be hosts for the upcoming SHl 2012 Tournament.

2012 is destined to be a very special year in London, England – Not only does it host the 18^th Annual Special Hockey International tournament, it also hosts the Olympics and Paralympics as well as being the 10^th anniversary of our club.

We hope that you will all join us from April 13^th to April 20^th, with each team to play 4 games in total on 2 days between Sunday 15th April and Thursday 19th April.

Full details of tournament registration, the venues and some accommodation options have been put together on our website to assist those planning to attend. We would be delighted to welcome teams of all sizes to the event in what promises to be an exciting experience in an exciting year.

Please take some time to review our tournament page on our website http://werewolvesoflondon.org.uk/special-hockey-international-tournament-2012/ . You will also find contact details on this page if you have any queries.

We look forward to welcoming you,

Werewolves of London 2012 Tournament Committee

SHI 2013 Tournament Dates Confirmed for Kitchener, Ontario

• was formed in 2008 with nine players and now has in excess of thirty athletes and growing
• has a vision to provide an inclusive environment where tolerance, acceptance and understanding of individuality is without limits.
• is affiliated with Kitchener Minor Hockey Association (www.kitchenerminorhockey.com) whose Mission Statement is to provide a hockey program that promotes the importance and understanding of work ethic, good sportsmanship, discipline,  team work and the fair treatment of others under all circumstances and all conditions; to teach respect for others, regardless of race, place of origin, family circumstance, gender or creed; and to encourage players to uphold these principles and to become fine young adults, contributing to the community after their playing involvement is over.
• provides children and young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in a hockey program that is tailored to their specific needs.

A Hockey Moment…

A Hockey Moment…That You May Never See Again

      by Dale Lowe, Coach, the Kawartha Komets

“Anyone who volunteers will tell you that you get back twice as much as what you put into it.  And, I’ve come to learn that even more so over the past 2 years, helping to coach the Kawartha Komets special needs hockey team.

This past week, our 2 local squads participated in the 64-team Special Hockey International tournament.  It was my first time to attend the annual year-end event.  And, as we boarded the bus early last Wednesday morning for Boston, I knew that I was in for an emotional 5 days of watching special athletes from across the world…playing the game they love so much.

But, nothing had prepared me for the tear that ran down my face on Saturday afternoon.

In special needs hockey, there can often be some disparity between teams because of their wide range of hockey skills and challenges.  As the undefeated Junior Komets entered their final game against the Steel City Icebergs (from Pittsburgh), it was clear that our team was faster and more skilled than their opponents.  And (realizing this) our juniors quickly adapted their game…showing a tremendous amount of empathy for the Icebergs.  Then, the most incredible spontaneous act of sportsmanship happened in front of the Steel City net.

Brandon Vansickle (# 58) of the Kawartha Komets gave the puck to 5 year-old Nicole Mullins of the Icebergs.  As you will see in the video, Nicole uses a special-made walker created by her father, fully equipped with her hockey stick.  Nicole was born with hip dysplasia…meaning she has two dislocated hips, two short-bent femurs, and two club feet.  But, special needs hockey has allowed her to be part of a team…and allowed this tiny, courageous and very determined girl to achieve her goals.

After Brandon put the puck on Nicole’s stick, the entire Komet line skated the length of the ice beside her, and watched her score a goal…as fans from both sides cheered wildly. Afterwards, there were tears running down the cheeks of many of us who had witnessed this unprompted, unscripted act of sportsmanship.  I have never been so proud to be part of a sports program.

I should also mention that the Senior Komets showed remarkable sportsmanship too.  Entering their final game (undefeated as well)…they met the undefeated Washington Ice Dogs.  The level of competition was quite intense and spirited in a game that saw each team hold the lead at various times.

And, although the Komets lost the game on the scoreboard (8-5)….they proved that sometimes the team that LOSES looks like the WINNERS…through their on-ice actions.  Our boys were able to display an incredible amount of respect and sportsmanship in that defeat….and we are all so proud of them for representing Peterborough so well.

And so…we’ve packed up our memories in equipment bags for another season – - with the anticipation of creating even more special moments next year – - as the Kawartha Komets continue to “blaze a trail” in special needs hockey.

One of our coaches, Sean Quinlan, captured this on videotape and the number of views on YouTube is going to be phenomenal. This is what Special Hockey International is all about!

Here is the YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kg70sz4NfDY

A Special SHI Moment

Here is a link to a short video we took at the Boston Tournament. #2 is Ricco VanArragon, #1 is Cory Steadman, both of the Guelph Giants. The goalie is Toby Curtis of the London SPICE Jets. We are very proud of all of them and believe that they showed the true spirit of SHI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39_dv5XJHVw

Thanks for a great tournament!

Angela VanArragon and Gord Harris.

Win, lose or draw, the final score isn’t important.

Peterborough This Week writer Todd Vandonk wrote the following story about the Kawartha Komets.  It appeared in Friday’s edition of Peterborough This Week, March 18th, 2011

(PETERBOROUGH) Win, lose or draw, the final score isn’t important.

Players aren’t ridiculed for missing a sure goal, blowing defensive coverage or for allowing a soft goal. There are no power-play or penalty-killing units. Equal ice time is a priority and statistics aren’t recorded.

The Kawartha Komets special needs hockey team play because they love the game.

“They are like every other kid and want to be like the NHL guys,” explains Komets coach Brad Bateman.

Bateman says he’s coached kids that were extremely talented but didn’t have half the heart of the Komets players.

“I coach other sports, but the great thing about these guys is they have such big hearts. Even for them to get out on the ice and to get their equipment on is a big challenge,” he explains.

Batemen’s son Colin Gillis-Bateman blocks shots for the Komets. Colin had a stroke shortly after birth.

“They basically told us he would never walk. They told us the chances of him doing anything normal were pretty slim,” explains Bateman.

The caused limited use of his right hand, which in return forces the 11 year old to play goalie without a stick. Mr Bateman and Ralph Beavis, of Nash Sports, customized a blocker this year, so Colin could hold a stick, but the netminder found it easier to go without.

“When he was a little kid he always played road hockey without a stick and did really well,” says Bateman.

“It did work a little bit for him, but Colin found it was harder for him to play with the stick because he never really did play with the stick.”

Bateman says most parents on the team will tell you the same story. That they thought their child would never play hockey.

“It brings tears to my eyes seeing him do something that we didn’t expect him to be able to do,” says Judi Clark, mother of 11-year-old Johnathon Clark, a forward with the Komets.

Two years ago Johnathon went to school feeling fine, but came home with a serve headache. A CAT scan revealed he had a dermoid cyst.

“My heart sank to my toes. It was devastating,” says Ms Clark.

Johnathon also has cranial nerve cerebral palsy and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

“He has trouble learning and interacting with kids his own age,” explains Ms Clark.

“It (hockey) has brought up his self esteem and it gives him something to look forward to.”

Johnathon scored his first hat trick this year.

“It is fun and a great sport that brings people together,” says Johnathon.

“I enjoy meeting new people and actually getting to play with them.”

Cheryl Stephens says her son Travis Harren didn’t have a lot of friends his own age until he joined the Komets. Ms Stephens home schools her son, who developed hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain, when he was six weeks old. At the age of six he was diagnosed with epilepsy.

“I run a daycare, so he knows younger kids very well and he knows adults very well, but he doesn’t know teenagers. With hockey he is out with teenagers. Some of them are younger but they are his developmental age, so he fits in,” explains Ms Stephens.

Carol Fisher says parents put their children in this program for the social aspect.

“As children with challenges get older the gaps get bigger and they start to experience loneliness and depression,” explains Ms Fisher.

“This is a whole new avenue for them to connect with people, which I think is a bigger part of it than the actual hockey.”

Carol and her husband David founded the Komets in 2009/10 and iced 22 skaters. The Komets grew to 34 players this year, but Ms Fisher says their job isn’t done, as they wish to expand and include more people that have developmental issues such as players with Down Syndrome.

“We haven’t even touched the tip of the iceberg,” she explains.

The Komets wrap up their season at the end of April when they charter a bus to Boston to participate in the annual Special Hockey International Tournment. If you know someone that wants to join the Komets next season or are interested in sponsoring the boys’ trip to Boston, Carol or David can be reached at 705-750-0655.

 Check out the Kawartha Komets on YouTube here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuL3YI5QmZM

2011 Tournament Update – March 23

I hope all is well.  I have a few updates on the tournament to pass along.  

Pure Hockey Raffle:  First, one of our tournament sponsors, Pure Hockey, is having a raffle for two pairs of Bauer skates.  The raffle will take place Thrusday night at the opening ceremony.  You do not need to be present to win.   Paul Donato from Pure Hockey is copied on this email.  He is going to send out the raffle info, I am hoping you will pass this along to your teams.  Everyone who enters will get a 20% off coupon, which can be used in their stores or online.  A big thanks to Pure Hockey, they are sponsoring our Friday night coaches game, and have been a friend to our program for a long time.  

Airport Bus Transportation: For teams that need a bus from Logan airport to the tournament, there are two companies that are giving us a discount rate.  I’ll post this on the website as well:

Local Motion:  55 passenger deluxe coach: $500 – each way 23 Passenger deluxe mini-coach: $400 – each way 12 Passenger Conversion van: $330 – each way All prices include airport fees & gratuity.)  Contact:   Jessy Kofalk Local Motion of Boston
(781) 535-6344 x240
jkofalk@lmboston.com  

Richie Bus Lines:
47 passenger deluxe coach $450 – each way
Contact: Richie Bus Lines – Diane
508-393-3053 x 15
Banquet: Finally, for the tournament banquet, we would like to get a final headcount by April 4.  I’m sure many of you (like me) are still waiting on families to get back to you.  Hopefully a deadline will help spur things along.  

Game Schedule:  We are behind on the game schedule, I’ll have the matchups done by tomorrow night, and am sending those to Mike Hickey and Michael Liotta for their input.  Once that is done we’ll make the game schedule.  That should come out next week.  

 Thanks to everyone, the excitement is building in Boston as the date approaches.  

John

SHI Annual Tournament 2011

Dear all,

I wanted to pass along a few updates and requests about the tournament. It is hard to believe we are less than 2 months away.

First, attached is the spreadsheet with information that we have.
SHI Tournament team spreadsheet pg 1.
Please review your team’s info and reply to me and Judy Sheldon (judysheldon@verizon.net) if there are any changes. Most importantly, please confirm if you are using the shuttle bus and are not listed, and also please confirm your arrival time if you will be arriving later than Thursday morning and are not listed. We should be able to accomodate everyone’s arrival time with the game schedule. We did receive request from a number of teams to only schedule morning games, unfortunately we won’t be able to accomodate all of those requests.

Second, from Judy: I have received confirmation from Hockey Canada via USA Hockey that all of our Canadian teams have been approved by Hockey Canada to play in the Tournament. This means that Canadian teams that have not yet sent travel permits and Hockey Canada rosters do not need to do so. All US teams do need to send official USA Hockey rosters.

Third, this week I’ll be depositing checks that have been sent for registration and the banquet.

Fourth, we are working on the game schedule, we hope to have that done in the next two weeks.

Finally, if any teams are staying at the Holiday Inn and have their own bus, please let me know. We have a team that may need help getting a few folks to the rink.

Thanks!

John Quill

Tournament Update

I am sending out the general schedule for the tournament so that everyone knows when the main events are scheduled.  We are working on the game schedule and will have that posted within the next couple of weeks.  We are hopeful that we can accomodate everyone’s schedule requests. 

 First, the exciting news:  We have 64 teams registered, and nearly 900 players coming to the tournament!!  I believe this is the biggest tournament yet.  In order to schedule four games for every team, the games will be scheduled for 50 minutes.

 Here are the highlights of the schedule.  This will be posted on our website as well:

 Thursday, April 28:

 Coaches meeting, 10:15 am (we realize that not everyone will be there, but we’ll catch you up at registration if you arrive on Thursday)

 Games from 11:00 am - 7:30 pm (last face off at 6:30).

 Opening Ceremonies are 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm on Rink 1 (Feature rink). 

 SHI General meeting: 8:45 pm

 Friday, April 29:

 Games from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm 

 Coaches Game at 8:00 pm  on rink 1.

 Saturday, April 30:

 Games from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm 

 Awards Dinner starts at 5:30

 Awards ceremony is 6:10 – 8:00 on Rink 1. 

 Band plays from 8:00 – 10:00 pm (we have secured the “Best Buddies” band (the Berkshire Hills Music Academy Troupe), which consists of young adults with special needs).

 For the awards dinner / ceremony, we will be splitting up into two groups.  Half will start with dinner, and half will start on Rink 1 for the awards ceremony.  Around 6:50 pm we will switch everyone up.  The band will start around 8:00 pm.

 The dinner will be more casual than years past.  We’ll be serving salad, pizza and one healthy dinner choice (probably chicken).

 Special thanks to Michael Liotta, Mike Hickey, and our tournament committee who have been a tremendous help throughout the planning process.

 We’re looking forward to seeing you in April!

Thanks,

 John Quill

Capital City Condors on Canada AM

The Capital City Condors wish to send out a great big “THANK-YOU” to all SHI member clubs that supported us in the Aviva Community Fund Challenge! We are thrilled to announce that we were chosen from among 2000 entries to receive funding! On January 25^th, the Condors were featured on Canada AM for the cheque presentation! It was very exciting for the players and parents as they had no idea what was happening, other than that the team was being featured on Canada AM and that they needed to be at the rink ready to get on the ice for 6:30am! It was a great surprise moment for the parents and others who had come out to support the team, when the Aviva folks handed our team a cheque for $25 000!! The players had to be on the ice for more than 2.5 hrs (on and off) and we also owe a huge “thank-you” to our amazing coaches and volunteers who kept the kids entertained for such a long period of time. Ottawa Senator, Matt Carkner, who has been very generous towards and supportive of our team even stopped by part-way through the morning to boost the kids energy levels!

The video clip is a compliation of the Canada AM segments featuring the Condors, done by one of our parents. It is well worth watching if you missed it on the 25^th.  Again, we could not have reached the final judging stage without the support of our fellow SHI teams, and we are very very grateful!

 http://gallery.me.com/lloydpalmer/100146

Shana & Jim Perkins
Capital City Condors
www.capitalcitycondors.org