For Immediate Release: July 31, 2018
CYCLONES PARTNER WITH CINCINNATI SPECIAL HOCKEY
Program Aims to Introduce People with Developmental Disabilities to Hockey
Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres and the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Rochester Americans, have announced a partnership with Cincinnati Special Hockey to create the Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey Program- the first ice hockey team for people with developmental disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
The mission of the Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey program is to “give people with developmental disabilities the chance to play the sport of ice hockey in an environment which is adapted to the level of ability which allows the athletes the ability to participate.” This closely aligns with the mission of the Cincinnati Cyclones Foundation, which aims to introduce children of all skill levels to the game of hockey. The Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey program will be multifaceted, offering both learn to skate and learn to play hockey programs.
“Partnering with the Cincinnati Cyclones is an amazing opportunity for the Cincinnati special hockey program,” remarked Jamie Furstein, Founder and Managing Director of Cincinnati Special Hockey. “Not only does sharing the name and logo of the local professional team instill a sense of pride in our skaters, it challenges them to carry themselves in the same manner as the Cyclone players both on and off the ice.”
“When we first learned of the Cincinnati Special Hockey Program it seemed like a perfect fit for the non-profit side of our business, The Cincinnati Cyclones Foundation,” said Cyclones Vice President and General Manager Kristin Ropp. “Jamie’s goals for Special Hockey matches the Cyclones Foundations’ goals of growing the game of hockey to all who want to play, and our hope is to promote this organization through our own channels as well as support them with the assistance of our players and coaches throughout the season. We look forward to being a part of this organization’s growth.”
In addition to physical hockey skills, the program will emphasize the development of desirable individual characteristics such as dependability, self-reliance, concentration, willingness to share, and personal accountability. The game of hockey will be used by the Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey program to develop characteristics that will help each player be more successful both inside and outside of the hockey environment. In addition, the Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey program will aid in promoting social awareness about the many opportunities available for children with developmental disabilities.
There will be an open house held on August 25, 2018 at Sports Plus Arena in Evendale, OH, from 9:00AM-12:00PM, and will serve as an opportunity for skaters and parents to ask questions, try skating, practice various hockey drills, and get more information on the Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey program. The open house will be held in conjunction with the Cincinnati Ice Breakers Sled Hockey team; an organization the Cyclones have partnered with over the past couple of seasons. A second open house will be held on September 30 at Sports Plus from 10:00AM-1:00PM.
The 2017-18 season has come to a close, and the march towards 2018 First Face-off is ON! The Cincinnati Cyclones want to thank you for all of your support this past season, and invite you to stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for information on tickets and promotions for the 2018-19 season, great offseason events like Concrete Clones, player signings, and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding your Cyclones, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
