Buffalo Thunder

      

The Buffalo Thunder is affiliated with the Western New York Special Hockey Association, Inc.

The Buffalo Thunder began when a parent decided that his son, who was developmentally disabled, needed an outlet for his skating and hockey interest. He had skated with SABAH and Gliding Stars for over 15 years. He had also been an honorary team manager for his brother's hockey team..

Upon discovering a team in Rochester, NY - the "Ice Cats", they had found a place where their son could play with other developmentally disabled hockey players.  The Rochester Ice Cats belonged ot the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) which supports over 60 special  hockey teams around the nation.

Over the following summer, his parents decided that a disabled or "special" hockey team could happen in the Western NY area,  so the birth of WNY Special Hockey Association, Inc began.

The players of Buffalo Thunder range in age from 10 to 30 years old, are male and female and have one thing in common: the eagerness to play hockey and be a part of a team. Their USA Hockey-credential coaches and mentor coaches enjoy working with  the athletes and provide a supportive environment in which the athletes are taught the rules of the game while improving their hockey skills and experiencing the excitement of being a part of a team.

American Special Hockey Association is a affiliated organization of USA Hockey. ASHA programs are Sanctioned and Governed by the rules and regulations of the USA Hockey Disabled Section  and also a affiliated member of Special Hockey International. American Special Hockey is proud to be a member of organizations.

Mission of the American Special Hockey Association

Over 50 American Special Hockey Programs have been established in over 30 cities in the United States. The goal of Special Hockey is to give people with physical and Developmental Disabilities the chance to play the sport of Ice Hockey in an environment which is adapted to the level of ability which the athletes are able to participate. 

Special Hockey exists for the enrichment of the athlete with a developmental disability. In addition to physical hockey skills, the program emphasizes the development of desirable individual characteristics such as dependability, self-reliance, concentration, willingness to share and personal accountability. The game of hockey is used by Special Hockey to develop within each player the characteristics that will help the player to be more successful both inside and outside a hockey environment.