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Western New York Special Hockey Association, Inc. is Western New York's first Hockey Team for Athletes with Developmental Disabilities.

A developmentally disabled young man was involved with his brother’s hockey team by being the honorary team manager or helping out with some aspect of the team. For over 15 years, he skated with the two local premier skating programs (SABAH and Gliding Stars). He gained the much needed skating confidence and had a desire to play ice hockey. He assisted with his local high school (Sweet Home) and college hockey (Buffalo State College) teams. While having the skating ability, no developmentally disabled hockey teams existed locally in the Western New York area.

His parents discovered through the USA Hockey Disabled Section, a team was located in Rochester, New York - the “Ice Cats”. The travel was long every Sunday, but worth every penny. The Rochester Ice Cats belonged to the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) which supports over 60 other special hockey teams around the nation. It was an exciting year for him with the Ice Cats, playing in tournaments in the US and Canada culminating with playing in the 2008 USA Hockey Disabled Festival in Boston, MA.

In the summer of 2008 his parents decided that a disabled or “Special” hockey team could happen in the Western NY area, so the birth of WNY Special Hockey Association, Inc. began.

Western New York Special Hockey Association, Inc., is affiliated and registered with the following ice hockey organizations:
•New York State Amateur Hockey Association

•USA Hockey Association – Disabilities Section – Special Hockey

•American Special Hockey Association

We are a non-for-profit and tax deductible organization in accordance with the federal IRS regulations (IRS 501(c)(3)). If you would like information on how to donate to WNY Special Hockey contact us at michaelsteffan@verizon.net.

Our Mission

We provide individuals (both male and female) with developmental disabilities the unique opportunity to play ice hockey.

Our Mission objectives are:
•To provide players the opportunity to feel they are a part of a team;
•Provide training in the game of ice hockey;
•To provide players the thrill of competition while having fun at the same time; and
•To facilitate the development of social skills.

Proudly supported by the Buffalo Sabres Foundation

Team Name - "BUFFALO SABRES THUNDER"