American Special Hockey Association

06/14/2026

Sad to hear about the loss of Coach Tom Jeffrey from our friends at SNAP Sports. His legacy of inclusion and belief that every athlete deserves a chance on the ice is one our entire special hockey community shares.

Sending love to Heidi and the whole SNAP Sports family.

Today, we mourn the loss of a truly special member of our SNAP Sports family, Coach Tom Jeffrey.

Tom’s passion for hockey was undeniable, but what made him extraordinary was his belief that hockey should be for everyone. Through his dedication to coaching our special needs athletes in hockey and ice skating, he helped create opportunities for countless individuals to experience the joy, confidence, and sense of belonging that sports can provide.

Tom never saw limitations—he saw possibilities. Whether working with athletes in wheelchairs, blind skaters finding their way on the ice, or first-time players learning the game, he made sure every athlete felt welcomed, valued, and included. His patience, encouragement, and unwavering commitment helped make ice sports accessible to all and showed our athletes that they were capable of more than they ever imagined.

His love of hockey also inspired his daughter, Heidi, who has become an incredible coach in her own right. Today, she continues the work her father was so passionate about, encouraging athletes to step onto the ice, learn the game, and discover their own potential. Through Heidi and the many athletes he mentored, Tom’s influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

Tom was more than a coach. He was a mentor, an advocate, a teammate, and a friend. He helped build a culture of inclusion and acceptance that will forever be part of SNAP Sports.

While we are heartbroken by his passing, we are grateful for the time we had with him, the lessons he taught us, and the lives he changed. His legacy lives on every time one of our athletes laces up their skates, takes the ice, and believes they belong there.

Thank you, Coach Tom, for your passion, your kindness, and your belief that hockey truly is for everyone.

You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

06/09/2026

Congratulations to Bill Tobias from the Central Park North Stars on winning the Willie O’Ree Community Service Award!

We are so proud to see Special Hockey represented at the highest level through this prestigious recognition.

Thank you to everyone who voted and helped spread the word. Your support made this moment possible. We are all so proud of Bill!

06/09/2026

Congratulations to Bill Tobias on winning the U.S. Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award presented by Discover!

The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award recognizes an individual who — through the game of hockey — has positively impacted their community, culture, or society.

06/09/2026

Tonight’s the night!

The winner of the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award will be announced tonight on ESPN2 during The Point, airing between 6:00 and 7:00 PM ET.

Please tune in and join us in celebrating all of the incredible people who make hockey a place where everyone belongs.

We’re especially proud to cheer on Bill Tobias and the Central Park North Stars. No matter the outcome, Bill’s impact on athletes, families, and our hockey community is already extraordinary.

Good luck, Bill. We’re all rooting for you. 💚💛

06/06/2026

Teams coming together, communities uniting, and athletes doing what they love most, playing hockey. Shoutout to the Wisconsin Timber Wolves, the SHAW Pirates, and everyone who laced up this weekend at Nicholas Sportsplex. Watching these players share the ice is a reminder of why this event matters so much.

Thank you, Pucks for Autism, for continuing to create spaces where our community belongs. We’re proud to be part of a hockey family that shows up like this.

06/01/2026

We hear you!

We’ve been putting the finishing touches on our new season registration system and want to make sure everything is smooth for our players and families. Registration officially opens June 3rd and we can’t wait to hit the ice with you!

05/24/2026

So great to see WMSHA Patriots coaches and players taking in a Grand Rapids Griffins game together. This is what our community is all about, the love of the game goes beyond the ice.

We see some familiar faces at the Grand Rapids Griffins game tonight! Coach Kyle, Coach Melissa, and WMSHA player Hank P!

05/24/2026

We're posting this again because TODAY is truly the last day.

Bill Tobias and the Central Park North Stars have given so much to their community

Now they need YOU. 30 seconds. One click.

Voting for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award closes TODAY. Don't let this one slip by.

http://nhl.com/OReeAward

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE.

Bill Tobias and the Central Park North Stars have given so much to their community, zero cost, all abilities, all ages, all heart.

Now they need YOU. 30 seconds. One click. Link below.

Don’t let today pass without casting your vote for Bill for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award.

⏰ Voting closes TODAY. Don’t sleep on this.

http://nhl.com/OReeAward

05/23/2026

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE.

Bill Tobias and the Central Park North Stars have given so much to their community, zero cost, all abilities, all ages, all heart.

Now they need YOU. 30 seconds. One click. Link below.

Don’t let today pass without casting your vote for Bill for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award.

⏰ Voting closes TODAY. Don’t sleep on this.

http://nhl.com/OReeAward

05/22/2026

Support - Bike to the Beach - Washington D.C. and Maryland