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So glad you found us! We are a not for profit organization that allows people of all levels of vision loss the ability to play an adaptive form of ice hockey. You may think that this would look much different than traditional hockey but if it were’t for the large metal puck making noise you may not be able to tell the difference. Please explore the website and follow us on social media. We are trying to recruit as many players as possible. No skill required. We will teach you! Our players range from 12-60. We’d love to have you as part of our team. Please email us here if you want to get involved in some way.

 

Click here for our Youtube Channel. 

Click here to donate.

 

2023-2024 Season schedule

Islanders Iceworks

175 Underhilll Blvd.

Syosset, NY 11791

4:45 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

** New skaters arrive by 4:30 P.M. **

September 10 & 24

October 15 & 29

November 5 & 19

December 3 & 10

January 7 & 21

February 4

March 3, 10 & 24

April 7 & 21

*** Schedule may change from time to time. Get on our mailing list for updated schedules and events. ***

Please support those that support us.

Healthy Vision Association. 

The Healthy Vision Association is dedicated to helping its members see well and be healthy by providing access that might not be available through employers to products, services and information that promote vision and overall health.

Here is a link to their website: Healthy Vision Association

Foreseeable Future Foundation. 

The Foreseeable Future Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization, that works with individuals and organizations that focus on the visually impaired thru sports and recreation. They offer financial assistance when they can, and try to utilize the various resources they have in their organization to help those in need.

Here is a link to their website: Foreseeable Future Foundation

Lions Club. 

Across the globe, Lions are rolling up their sleeves and taking action. With over 1.4 million members, they are the largest service organization in the world. And they are as dedicated to helping those in need today as they were over 100 years ago when they first began.

The origins of Blind Hockey

Mark Demontis was a kid growing up in Canada with a dream to play in the NHL. That dream was cut short after being diagnosed with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), a disease that quickly robbed him of his vision. In 2008 Mark created Courage Canada. Courage Canada has now transitioned to become The Canadian Blind Hockey Association.

Blind Hockey was originally invented in Canada in the 1970’s with the founding of the Toronto Ice Owls in 1972, followed by Les Hiboux de Montreal in 1976. For much of the first 40 years of the sport’s history, it was played regionally with very little interaction between clubs and no organization at a national level.  That all changed in 2010 when a group of leaders from teams across the country got together to formalize the adapted rules and launch Canadian Blind Hockey (formerly known as Courage Canada Hockey for the Blind). Currently there are several established Blind Hockey Teams across Canada, and the organization operates the annual Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament, as well as Western and Eastern Regional Blind Hockey Tournaments.

In 2014 Kevin Shanley and Christine Osika founded America’s first Blind Ice Hockey team, the New York Nightshades. It has now spread in the US with teams formed in Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., St Louis, Colorado, Chicago and many more cities.

USA hockey has sanctioned a NY Metro area team. Come be a part of this exciting team.

About

What is Blind Hockey?

Players are visually impaired ranging from low vision to completely blind. Players use an adaptive puck that makes noise and is larger and slower than a traditional puck.

Graphic describes the difference between regular hockey and blind hockey

Our Goal:

Our goal is to introduce people of all ages and skill levels to ice skating and to the sport of ice hockey, and to create a community of connected people by building  up our visually impaired team for the New York Metro area. USA Hockey is working aggressively with Canadian Blind Hockey to make this an official Paralympic sport. Working together, we believe we can accomplish these goals.

Players will have many opportunities to travel across the USA and Canada with the hope to eventually travel worldwide.

If you are interested in joining use one of the contacts on the Contact page.

We are a registered 501(c)(3) organization.

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