Hat Tricks and Treats in New Jersey
Nov. 17, 2009



PHOTO CAPTION:
An on-ice ceremony to recognize each of the teams took place on Sunday. A special “treat” was having Rob Wooley, Manager of Cause Marketing for the National Hockey League on hand to present the teams with trophies.

A Dozen ASHA Teams from 7 States Visit West Orange, NJ, for “Frankenfest”

Instead of ghouls, ghosts and goblins, goals and goalies were on display at the first annual “Frankenfest” Special Hockey tournament in New Jersey Oct. 10-11.

With Halloween just around the corner, the New Jersey Dare Devils’ haunted home – the Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange, NJ – played host to Special Hockey teams from up and down the Eastern U.S. earlier this month. The weekend was filled with plenty of hat tricks and a few treats.

“We’re so very proud that more than 200 developmentally disabled children and adults from seven states participated in Frankenfest,” said Bruce Giger, Dare Devils team manager and tournament committee member. “Due to its resounding success, we hope to make this an annual event. We had a terrific planning committee that helped pull together a first-class tournament.”

Frankenfest featured 12 American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) teams, some from over 230 miles away. After holding similar tournaments in previous years around the December and Columbus Day Holidays, the Dare Devils seem to have found a winning formula.

“This tournament was about helping players advance their skills, have fun and make new friends,” said tournament host committee chairperson Kathy Kientz. “For parents, it was a wonderful opportunity to sit back, watch our kids play and meet some of the great families from other ASHA teams.”

Participating teams included: Albany Cougars, Boston Bear Cubs, Bucks County Admirals, Long Island Blues, New Jersey Dare Devils, New York Raptors, North Jersey Avalanche, NOVA (Va.) Cool Cats, Montgomery (Md.) Cheetahs, Philadelphia Fearless Flyers, Southern Connecticut Storm and Woodbridge (NJ) Wolfpack.

“Each team received a customized trophy and all players went home with a free T-shirt and other Halloween goodies,” said host committee member Donna DePiero. “The kids seemed to really love the shirts, which were actually designed by one of our parents.”

The event also served as a great way to raise funds for future tournaments, camps and clinics.

“In the last eight years, the Dare Devils have grown from 7 to more than 50 players on our roster aged 5 through adult,” said committee member Andy Picirillo. “We’re also proud to have our 501(c)3 status as a charitable organization, allowing us to solicit and raise the necessary funds to keep our organization running.”

The tournament was the largest of its kind in the U.S. for just Special Hockey. USA Hockey hosts its annual Disabled Festival, typically held in the spring. That event features teams from all four disabled disciplines: sled, deaf/hard of hearing, standing amputee and special hockey.

“New Jersey was an ideal location to host such an event because it leads the nation in Autism diagnosis,” said Jon Schwartz Dare Devils’ head coach and ASHA board member. “Developmental disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome Cerebral Palsy and a host of other neurological disorders, profoundly affect the health and functioning of more than 4.5 million children and adults in the U.S.”

There is a higher incidence of obesity among disabled Americans, which undoubtedly leads to other health issues. Habitual physical activity is a missing component in the lives of most disabled Americans due to economic issues; emotional & psychological barriers; lack of equipment; poor education/training; negative perceptions among the non-disabled; and limited resource availability.

“The reality of it is that disabled hockey – and Special Hockey in particular – has a positive impact on physical fitness; socialization; self confidence; and employment,” said ASHA President Mike Hickey. “And with more than 70 teams nationwide, Special Hockey is the fastest growing disabled discipline in USA Hockey.”