New Hockey League Gives Special Needs Kids A Chance To Play

The chance to play sports is a special part of childhood, but for a special group, it’s not always possible.

Alex Weber is a young hockey fan with Down syndrome.

He played in a recreational hockey league for 2 years, until his age and ability level no longer matched other children.

“When he got to be 9 or 10 years old, they didn't want him to play with 6 and 7 year olds because he was getting too big,” explained Alex’s father, Jeff. “We didn’t want to move him up to the bigger league because of the checking. He would get hurt.”

That left Alex sidelined for four years, until Stephanie Maust stepped in to create a new team.

Her son played hockey with Alex, and she was moved by Alex’s passion for the game.

“He was so inspirational to me because he loved hockey so much,” Maust said.

Maust, in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Penguins, founded The Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey Association.

The league held registration at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center Saturday morning.

The Greater Pittsburgh Special Hockey Association welcomes kids ages 5 and older who are living with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental delays.

The new team, called the Steel City Icebergs, took the ice for the first time Saturday, as parents watched from the stands.

"It'll do something great for my child and great for all these kids. It's really unbelievable to watch them be able to try and accomplish a dream of hockey," said parent Leanne McLean.

Her son Austin proudly said, “I was doing slap-shots. On the third goal I wasn’t even looking.”

Alex, Austin and dozens of others will have the opportunity to play all summer long.

Four subsequent summer skills sessions will be held in June and July.

For the young players, each time will be a gift.

Alex’s mom, Chris, said of the league, “It was like Christmas time all over again.”