“Special Needs ” and “Hockey” are not two words that you hear together very often; they do go together very 
nicely though. Meet the Cleveland Rockin’ Wildcats. They are a Special needs ice hockey team from Northeast Ohio. Players range in age from 6 to about 36 years old (though there is no age limit). They all have different diagnoses including: Autism, Learning Disabilities, Down Syndrome, West Syndrome, Microcephaly, ADD/ADHD and more. Off the ice, some of their challenges are apparent, but on the ice it is so easy to forget that those challenges even exist. The group started out as respite group where parents got a break and kids learned to skate better and even learn some hockey skills. Over the years, it grew and morphed into what it is today.
Where Every Player is a Star
This unique group of individuals practice once a week for an hour and play in tournaments around the area…though “their area” is probably an understatement. There are only 2 teams like them in the entire state of Ohio, which means the team must travel if they want to play more games. The team loves to travel to Columbus and Bowling Green, Ohio and even Michigan and New York and is working on setting up some games in other states as well. When the Cleveland Rockin’ Wildcats travel, their families travel with them as well. It’s a big commitment, but the joy on the players’ face every time they have a game is worth it all!
Sportsmanship at its Finest
One big difference you will notice when you watch them play is their attitude. It’s not about “checking” someone hard into the wall to get the puck or knocking someone down that gets in your way- in fact they will usually help them back up. They congratulate the other team when they score and parents will clap for the opposing teams’ goals also. They truly know the meaning of the term sportsmanship and take its definition to a higher level. Some of these players struggle in so many areas in the real world, but all of that seems to disappear when they get on the ice.
A True Sense of Belonging
Hockey has taught them about teamwork, attention to detail, hand-eye coordination and balance, but most of all about friendship and a true feeling of BELONGING. They can go to school, their jobs, 
workshops and talk about how their hockey team traveled to play in a tournament this weekend- much like their peers can talk about their weekends. People are always impressed to hear about all they do as a team! Running a team like this takes a lot of dedication from families as well as coaches. Luckily, this team has an amazing set of both! American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) was created in 2000 for players with developmental disabilities. ASHA gives people of all ages and abilities a chance to learn and grow by playing hockey. There are currently over 50 ASHA programs in more than 30 cities through—out the United States.
You can check to see if there is a team in your area by contacting ASHA at www.specialhockey.org [1] and click on Member Programs and then your area.
Kathy Weber is a professional photographer who has worked in the grearter Cleveland, OH area for over 9 years. Her passion and keen eye finds the “shots” that other’s miss. Contact her at kathyweberphotography.smugmug.com
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]This post originally appeared on our January/February 2017 Magazine [12]