F A Q
SPECIAL NEEDS FOUNDATION
SPECIAL NEEDS HOCKEY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q- Who can become player in the Special Needs Hockey Program?
- A- Players who have Autism, Down Syndrome or any other Developmental Disability that prevents the player from participating in other organized ice hockey programs. They must be able to walk without assistance, and be free from any physical or medical condition that would be aggravated by playing the game. A medical history signed by the player’s physician would be required at the time of registration.
Q- What is the age range of your players?
A- Players must be 5 to 50+.
Q- Are girls eligible to play?
A- Absolutely!
Q- Who Coaches the Special Needs Hockey Teams?
- A- The Coaching Staff is comprised of strictly adult volunteers with youth hockey players assisting. All are screened and all have demonstrated a high degree of tolerance and willingness to work closely with kids who have particular mental disabilities.
Q- Is there a wait list to join your program?
- A- No, we take all comers, anytime.
Q- Is transportation provided with your program?
A- Transportation is the sole responsibility of the athlete and his/her family.
Q- Will we travel out of state to play games?
A- Rarly will we plan trips out of state. We do travel to Ogden, Park City and back and forth to Provo and Salt Lake. All costs associated with travel are the responsibility of the player.
Q- How much does it cost to play?
A- All equipment except a protective cup will be provided free of charge. Players will need to purchase their own cup.
Q- Where do we practice?
A- We will practice at one of the local Salt Lake City rinks for the Salt Lake team and at the Provo rink for the Utah County team.
Q- How often do we practice?
A- At present we would like to practice at least once a week – generally on Saturday afternoon.
Q- What equipment do the players need?
- All protective gear normally worn during any hockey play including mouth guards.
-
- Ice Hockey approved helmet with face mask
- Mouth Guard attached to the helmet
- Athletic cup (both male and female players)
- Ice Hockey skates
- Hockey gloves
- Elbow Pads
- Shoulder Pads
- Shin Guards
- Hockey Stick
- Neck Guard
- Hockey pants
- Hockey equipment does not need to be new, but must be in usable condition and properly fitted to the athlete.
Q- Is Special Hockey a Special Olympics Program?
A- No Special Hockey is not at this time part of any Special Olympics programs.
Q- Will the players and team be registered with USA Hockey?
- A- Yes! That cost is generally $35-40 and must be paid for by each player directly to USA Hockey.
Q- How many kids will be eligible to participate?
- A- Teams are limited to 20 players but we will field as many teams as there are players who want to participate. There will be no “cuts”.
Q-Does a prospective player need to know how to skate?
A- No! We will teach him/her?
Q -Does my son/daughter need to know how to play hockey?
A- No! We will teach them that too. They just need to know how to have fun.
- What about players with physical disabilities?
A- We are not currently providing teams at this level of play.
Q- Who would we contact to sign up for this Special Hockey Program or if we have any other questions?
A- Please contact Amy Allred for Salt Lake, Davis and Summit Counties, Deann Torsak or Teri Beck in Utah County
