Throughout Canada and in many of the states, there are hockey programs for young people who have developmental handicaps from autism, retardation, seizures or other causes Five years ago, the Valley Ice Center in Panorama City, initiated the first ever ice hockey program in Southern California for children and young adults with developmental disabilities;
Ask the kids what they like, and the first answer is, “The team.” They call themselves “The California Condors.” Recently they participated in a special needs tournament in Denver. The group is open to all disabilities, all ages, male or female and all levels of skills – including those who have never skated before. On ice, all are equal.
The general public is familiar with the Special Olympics, but hockey is not part of that program. The program in Panorama City is the brainchild of Rita Eagle, whose son was able to play hockey when the family lived in Toronto. Her goal is to encourage these young people to have fun and learn skills and teamwork in a safe environment.
Why bother with hockey, when other sports are available to special needs people? Hockey requires skills not used in other sports – skating being the most obvious. Some unusual benefits come from moving on skates. One young Condor player has had difficulty walking, due to cerebral palsy. But on ice, he has found a remarkable freedom of movement.
The NHL Players Association has generously donated equipment that is distributed through H.E.L.P., a non-profit set up to provide hockey equipment to families who cannot afford it. The rest is up to the players, to their enthusiasm and joy in the sport.
This season, we were overjoyed when Superman Mitch Berger landed at our rink. Former coach for the St. Louis Gateway team, and now assistant coach extraordinaire with the Condors, he gives 200 percent to our guys, every Sunday,also the L.A Kings have given us two wonderful coaches, Brian Simas and Joe Alexander. Finally, Brett Marsh and Ronda Kalan round out our excellent assistant coaching staff.
The fabulous Finney Family (volunteer assistant coach Aaron, Crissy, Sydney and Andrew, and volunteer big brother helper, Clay) have been at the heart and soul of the Condors for many years. This past February, 2011, they launched a new special needs hockey program in Pasadena. Congratulations, Finneys! The Condors look forward to playing with the new kids soon.
The First -- and only -- Special Needs Ice Hockey Team in Southern California.
Special Needs Hockey
WELCOME TO CONDORS COUNTRY
NOW PROUDLY AFFILIATED WITH THE AMERICAN SPECIAL HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Hockey players at the end of each game meet at center ice and shake hands in a show of sportsmanship. Watch as the Condors do the same.
Los Angeles Kings Valley Ice Center Feature:
- Excellent coaches and high coach/skater ratio!
- Ability to skate is an asset but is NOT required.
- Boy and girls, all ages welcome.
INTERESTED IN JOINING?
. The spring session is April 22 to July 8,2012
$150 for 8 sessions or
$25 drop in fee, at a new time
4:30 to 5:30
. Includes two tickets per player to an LA Kings game.
Players must wear complete protective gear, including a hockey helmet with cage. We are able to loan equipment. Players must also obtain USA Hockey insurance one per year, available online.
New players may come for three sessions at $15.00 per session to try out program.
1.Come by to watch a class, every Sunday between 4:50pm and 5:50pm.
2. Register with Dave for the Summer session.
For more information, call Rita Eagle, 310-490-1504 or 310-372-4794 (T, W, and Friday)
The fabulous skate-a-thon organized by Kye Woo was able to get the Condors to both Toronto
The Ducks hosted "Condors Night" March 20- 2011.Our kids participated in the national anthem ceremony and had a terrific four minute scrimmage on the full sheet of Honda Center Ice. Mitch Berger and Chris Poulos assisted as coaches, and Michael Perreira made a goal!.
CONDORS COMPETE IN TOURNAMENTS IN UTAH, TORONTO AND DENVER
The California Condors took a step foward in October 2009, entering their first tournament, and playing more experienced teams to a draw. Three ties, with the third finally broken by a shootout.
It was a tri-state tournament - Utah, Colorado and California. Special Needs Hockey is common throughout Canada and many of the States. But the still young Condors team represents the only special needs hockey program in California.
The tournament settling in the magnificent rink built for the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics added to the excitement. "Their energy was high. I felt their excitement," says Coach Ethan Rill. "This was as good hockey energy as I have ever felt."
The road to the Utah tournament was made possible by the generosity of fans and friends, including the Los Angeles Kings. Not least among those helping was 13-year-old Scott Belinsky who sometimes skates with the Condors as a volunteer helper. Scott was assigned to raise money for charity in preparation for his bar mitzvah, and was able to present the team with a check for $3,000.
Check out this video to learn more about Condors hockey!
