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With less than a month left to the NHL regular season, the playoff race is heating up. While most of the action is taking place on the ice we took a look at some of the off-ice activities of NHL teams.
Most teams in the National Hockey League have their own charities and organizations that they support. We found nine NHL teams who have events, programs or foundations supporting special needs children and organizations.
Tell us what you think and let us know if we missed anyone.
The Detroit Red Wing Alumni Association, the oldest such organization in the NHL, participates in Skate Without Limits a hockey weekend that gives children with special needs the chance to play with Red Wing greats. The event also raises money for United Cerebral Palsy.
The team supports the charity Canucks for Kids, which has donated to the Canucks Autism Network since 2008. The CAN provides recreational, social and vocational programs to families living with autism. Vancouver Canucks Alumni also support Canuck Place, a hospice for children.
The Sabres serve children with special needs in many ways, including hosting them at games throughout the year. The team also supports associations like Skating Athletes Bold At Heart (SABAH), which challenges those with special needs and their caretakers/supporters to experience the success and therapy of ice skating athletics.
The team has a lot of programs for youth, providing opportunities to learn and play hockey. These programs include A Step aHead Concussion Awareness, to promote concussion prevention, and Tomahawks, a hockey program for kids with special needs.
The Islanders are supporters of American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), with whom they host the annual Special Hockey Day. The Islanders are also partnering with Autism Speaks to host an Autism Awareness Hockey Night on March 29.
One of the Oilers’ featured charities of 2010-2011 was the Cerebral Palsy Association of Alberta, which provides those with Cerebral Palsy the opportunity to participate in recreational activities. The Oilers also support the Alberta AdaptAbilities Association, Autism Society of Edmonton Area, Paralympic Sports Association and the Children's Ability Fund.
The Maple Leafs currently support several charities and organizations, which include the Special Olympics of Ontario and Grandravine’s Special Program, which teaches developmentally challenged people of all ages and genders the fundamentals of hockey.
A major event that brought all of the playoff teams from 2011 together was the Face-Off Against Autism campaign. This campaign is part of an ongoing partnership the NHL and NHLPA have with Autism Speaks. Money raised goes towards Autism Speaks’ efforts in funding research for diagnosis and effective treatment.
The 16 teams that participated in the Face-Off campaign were the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
9 NHL hockey teams supporting children with special needs
With less than a month left to the NHL regular season, the playoff race is heating up. While most of the action is taking place on the ice we took a look at some of the off-ice activities of NHL teams.
Most teams in the National Hockey League have their own charities and organizations that they support. We found nine NHL teams who have events, programs or foundations supporting special needs children and organizations.
Tell us what you think and let us know if we missed anyone.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wing Alumni Association, the oldest such organization in the NHL, participates in Skate Without Limits a hockey weekend that gives children with special needs the chance to play with Red Wing greats. The event also raises money for United Cerebral Palsy.
Montreal Canadiens
The team founded the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation, whose mission includes providing support and funding to special needs organizations. The Canadiens also team up with the YMHA to hold a street hockey tournament for underprivileged children and children with special needs.
Vancouver Canucks
The team supports the charity Canucks for Kids, which has donated to the Canucks Autism Network since 2008. The CAN provides recreational, social and vocational programs to families living with autism. Vancouver Canucks Alumni also support Canuck Place, a hospice for children.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres serve children with special needs in many ways, including hosting them at games throughout the year. The team also supports associations like Skating Athletes Bold At Heart (SABAH), which challenges those with special needs and their caretakers/supporters to experience the success and therapy of ice skating athletics.
Chicago Blackhawks
The team has a lot of programs for youth, providing opportunities to learn and play hockey. These programs include A Step aHead Concussion Awareness, to promote concussion prevention, and Tomahawks, a hockey program for kids with special needs.
New York Islanders
The Islanders are supporters of American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), with whom they host the annual Special Hockey Day. The Islanders are also partnering with Autism Speaks to host an Autism Awareness Hockey Night on March 29.
Nashville Predators
This year’s featured charities that the Predators are supporting include the National Wheelcats, a program that provides sports opportunities and other support for those with physical disabilities.
Edmonton Oilers
One of the Oilers’ featured charities of 2010-2011 was the Cerebral Palsy Association of Alberta, which provides those with Cerebral Palsy the opportunity to participate in recreational activities. The Oilers also support the Alberta AdaptAbilities Association, Autism Society of Edmonton Area, Paralympic Sports Association and the Children's Ability Fund.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs currently support several charities and organizations, which include the Special Olympics of Ontario and Grandravine’s Special Program, which teaches developmentally challenged people of all ages and genders the fundamentals of hockey.
Face-Off Against Autism
A major event that brought all of the playoff teams from 2011 together was the Face-Off Against Autism campaign. This campaign is part of an ongoing partnership the NHL and NHLPA have with Autism Speaks. Money raised goes towards Autism Speaks’ efforts in funding research for diagnosis and effective treatment.
The 16 teams that participated in the Face-Off campaign were the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. 
