ASHA Program Overview

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ASHA Program Overview
ASHA is a part of USA Hockeys Disabled Section
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About ASHA
Special Hockey provides children and adults who
have developmental disabilities with the
opportunity to play ice hockey in an environment
adapted to each athlete's level of physical and
mental ability. The American Special Hockey
Association (ASHA) emphasizes the development of
desirable individual characteristics such as
dependability, self-reliance, socialization,
concentration, an ability to share and a
willingness to adapt to new experiences.
Through playing hockey, ASHA players tend to
exude these traits and learn how to apply them to
life away from the rink as well, despite their
unique set of circumstances. Thats why Special
Hockeys focus is on sportsmanship, participation
and socializationinstead of on icing, off-sides
and keeping score.
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USA Hockey Sanctioned
Special Hockey is one of four Disabled Hockey
programs under USA Hockeys Disabled Section.
With about 30 teams in 20 U.S. cities, Special
Hockey is the second-largest Disabled Hockey
discipline (Sled Hockey is the first). However
SLED HOCKEY
AMPUTEE HOCKEY
SPECIAL HOCKEY
HEARING IMPAIRED HOCKEY
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Albany Cougars, Albany, NY Boston Bear Cubs,
Boston, MA Chicago Tomahawks, Chicago,
IL Colorado Golden Eagles, Denver, CO Connecticut
Chasers, Simsbury, CT Emerald Valley Vipers,
Emerald Valley, OR Eugene Jr. Generals, Eugene
OR Long Island Blues, Long Island, NY Gateway
Locomotives, St. Louis, MO 
Michigan FAR Flyers, Farmington Hills,
MI Minnesota North Polars, Edina, MN Minnesota
South Stingers, MN Montgomery Special Hockey,
Rockville, MD New Jersey Daredevils, West Orange,
NJ New York Raptors, Larchmont, NY NOVA Cool
Cats, Northern Virginia Philadelphia Fearless
Flyers, Aston, PA Pittsburgh Special Hockey,
Pittsburgh, PA Rochester Ice Cats, Rochester,
NY Tampa Bay Thunder, Tampa, FL 
Washington Ice Dogs, Laurel, MD
Other future programs Atlanta, GA Columbus OH
Raleigh, North Carolina Miami FL Baltimore,
MD West Palm Beach, FL, Springfield MO Richmond
VA, Tri-Cities WA, New Canaan, CT and others
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Wolf Pack players go one-on-one with CT Chasers
Less than one week after finishing training camp
with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, team members
were on the ice teaching skills to members of the
CT Chasers, a hockey team made up of young men
with developmental challenges. Wolf Pack
goaltender Steve Valiquette (right), and last
year's league-leading goal scorer Jeff Hamilton
joined the Chasers at the Old Avon Farms School
arena Wednesday afternoon to work one-on-one with
the players. The CT Chasers play in a number of
games and tournaments throughout the season. The
Wolf Pack attend practices each month to lend
support and help teach hockey skills to these
very special athletes. This endeavor is part of
the commitment of the Hartford Wolf Pack
Foundation, which strives to help charitable and
non-profit endeavors that offer support to
inner-city youth, amateur sport, and promote the
health, education and well being of Connecticut's
children.
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Local Youth Hockey Mentor Program
In addition to providing a place for
developmentally disabled athlete, ASHA also
offers local youth hockey players an opportunity
to get involved with their local communities.
Youth hockey players nationwide are currently
involved with ASHAs Mentor Program, in which
they can earn community service hours often
required for high school graduation. These
youngsters work as junior coaches teaching basic
hockey skills and physical fitness, while serving
positive role models.
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Special Goals Program
Aside from their time, local youth hockey players
could also contribute financially to their local
ASHA team, but not in the traditional sense.
Through the ASHA Special Goals Program,
players can sign up friends, family and neighbors
to sponsor them. For every goal, assist and save
they collect, youth players can earn funds for a
local ASHA team. This program could potentially
be modified to tie-in with individual ticket
sales to one or more NHL game nights (i.e. for
every 25 spent, the sponsor would receive a
discounted ticket for a local game).
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Benefits to Professional Organizations as well as
USA Hockey Member Programs

• Marketing
• With brand exclusivity (along with ASHA), the USA
  Hockey registered members and organizations club
  would have another vehicle through which to
  support the teams marketing messages within the
  region.
• Public Relations
• Publicity plays a role in the growth of Special
  Hockey, but can also serve to promote the sport
  of hockey through partnerships and can be a
  positive refection on other organizations.
• Community Service
• ASHA clubs are comprised of a network of athletes
  and their families who typically draw support and
  attention for their efforts from their
  communities.
• Professional member clubs (Wolf Pack, for
  example) could make player and coach appearances.
  Its a good experience for everyone.
• Through Special Goals and the Mentor program,
  players can be involved in worthwhile community
  service project

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Whats Needed to start a ASHA Program

• Ice
• 60-75 minutes/week
• October-March
• Team Branding
• Possible usage of organization logos
• Motivated Volunteer General Manger
• 5-hour/week time commitment
• Qualified Volunteer Head Coach
• USA Hockey certified
• Experience with developmental disabilities
  preferred
• Jerseys
• As needed (cost may be off-set by small
  registration fee)

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How ASHA Can Help Get Clubs Started

• New Club Road Mapping
• Provide consultation and USA Hockey Masters
  Thesis Ice Hockey Programs for Special Athletes
  (T. Tucker)
• Special Hockey Coaching Education Program
• Provide training for local clubs on how to modify
  practices and games for special athletes
• Mentor Program
• Provide local clubs with a game plan to solicit
  and provide incentive for junior coach
  involvement
• Identification of Local Special Athletes
• Local Special Olympics committees and special
  schools

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Our Vision

• 100 ASHA Member Teams by 2010

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ASHA Contact Information
Mike Hickey President PO Box 3411 Crofton, MD
21114 [phone](301) 704-0956 mhickey_at_specia
lhockey.org www.americanspecialhockey.org