New Jersey Devils Host Third Annual Special Hockey Day

NEWARK, NJ – Over 400 special needs students and their families from all six New Jersey-based hockey programs of the American Special Hockey Association hit the ice at the Prudential Center on Wednesday evening with several members of the New Jersey Devils alumni in the club’s third annual special hockey day.

“This program is about teaching kids some important life skills such as comradery, friendship, taking their turn, and all these things we work on in everyday life, hockey applies to it,” said Jen O’Brien, executive director of the American Special Hockey Association, which has 60 teams in 58 cities across the country. “We emphasize teaching individuals to play with each other and not against each other. These are all individuals who work hard to be who they are and it’s exciting to see them shine in their own light.”

Former Devils players Bruce Driver and Grant Marshall, who were each members of a Stanley Cup Championship with the club skated with the special needs students.

“It’s an opportunity for the kids to come down and have fun on the rink where the New Jersey Devils play,” said Driver, who was wearing the No. 23 jersey that he donned for many years with the organization. “For them to have a chance to come down here and do that is an incredible experience for them.”

The Brick Stars (Ocean County), Mercer Bulldogs (Mercer County), Dare Devils (Essex County), NJ Monarchs (Sussex County), Woodbridge Warriors (Middlesex County), NJ Avalanche (Bergen County) were among the participating teams. Additionally, the Special Olympics athletes from New Jersey also participated in the event.

“I think this is an awesome opportunity for them,” said said Casey Henderson, Coach Education and Sports Training Director at Special Olympics New Jersey, who stressed social inclusion as one of the core values of their program. “For anyone to go out and participate in this type of environment is incredible. It says a lot about the Devils organization and the value that they put in their programming and grass roots efforts for people with disabilities and the general community.”

Henderson added that she was excited for the opportunity for the Special Olympics of New Jersey to partner with the American Special Hockey Association at future events as both programs seek to expand their offerings to its special needs students.