Otto, wearing a hockey helmet and holding a hockey stick, flashes a smile on the ice while standing in front of an adaptive puck.

November 13, 2024

Calling all ice warriors! In September, we launched our first-ever adaptive hockey team in partnership with the Cincinnati Cyclones. The team, called Cincinnati Cyclones Blind Hockey, is comprised of children who are blind or visually impaired and their siblings.

In adaptive hockey, players use a larger puck that is filled with ball bearings which rattle around and make noise. This allows players to track the puck’s movement across the ice.

There are nearly 10 players — ranging from young children to teenagers.

“Several families have told us their children don’t get to participate in team sports,” said Clovernook Center Director of Program Services Kelly Lusk, Ph.D., TVI. “So, this is meaningful to them. They get to be a part of a team, possibly for the first time in their lives.”

A $7,500 grant from the Cincinnati Cyclones Foundation helped launch the team, and several donors have provided hockey equipment for the players.

Marsha Schmeltzer’s 10-year-old son, Otto, joined the team after playing adaptive ice hockey during Clovernook’s Camp Abilities in June.

“He really enjoyed the experience at camp,” said Schmeltzer. “So, when the team formed, it was a quick ‘yes!’ It’s a great feeling to have him participate in a sport we would have usually said, ‘no’ to.”

The team typically practices twice a month at Queen City Sportsplex in Evendale and hopes to play its first scrimmage early next year against a blind hockey team based out of Columbus. New players are always welcome.

To learn more, visit clovernook.org or contact Dr. Lusk at klusk@clovernook.org.

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