Special Hockey
SEASON KICK OFF MEETING
Season Kick-off Meeting and Pizza Party on Sunday Aug 25th 3:30-5:30p North at the Chiller North location in Lewis Center, OH.
Please RSVP to Chris Wenzke cwen0569@gmail.com
At the meeting, we will review the schedule for the season, discuss the registration process, and take apparel sizes for new players (jerseys for LTS and jerseys, socks, and warm-ups for Hockey).
All returning players, please wear your hockey jerseys so we have plenty on hand for sizing new players.
OVERVIEW
Special Hockey originated in Canada and began in the US with the St. Louis Blues in 1994. Our Columbus team was launched in 2007 with support from the Columbus Chill Youth Hockey Association (CCYHA), American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), USA Hockey (USAH), and Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation. We are the first Special Hockey program in Ohio.
We provide children and young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn to skate and to learn to play ice hockey in an environment adapted to each athlete's level of physical and mental ability. In addition to hockey skills, our team emphasizes the development of desirable individual characteristics such as self-reliance, concentration, willingness to share, and personal accountability. The game of hockey is used to develop the characteristics necessary to be successful both on and off the ice.
Ages
Families may join any time during the season and participants do not need to know how to skate. Anyone regardless of age, sex, developmental disability, or skill level, who is physically able to play, may join. Our team is comprised of athletes ranging in age from 5-33.
HOW long is the season
Our season begins in mid-September and ends in April.
Where
Practices are held at the Ohio Health Chiller Ice Rinks including Dublin, North, and Easton.
program activities
Weekly Practices: Typically 20-25 practices each season (which include learn-to-skate).
Events & Tournaments: Home/Away games, Future Jackets intermission skate at a CBJ game, tournaments, and an End-of-Season party for the athletes and families.
Special Hockey Awareness Event at Nationwide Arena: Our biggest event of the year. It consists of Special Hockey game(s) on the main ice at Nationwide Arena, a public skate for families, friends & supporters, and a social outing to a Columbus Blue Jackets NHL game.
How to get started
Look for information on our Season Kick-off meeting which is typically held in August. There you will be able to meet our players and coaches. If you miss the kick-off meeting, you can contact us and arrange to come to see one of our practices.
Contacts
2025 Learn to Skate 2
Welcome to CCYHA Columbus Blue Jackets Special Hockey Program.
Registration is OPEN!
Cost to be part of the Special Hockey Learn to Skate Program is $100 per player.
You will need a valid 2024-25 USA Hockey Number in order to register.
To complete registration through our secure site, please have your credit card or checking account information available.