Special Hockey Washington was founded in 1999 to give children and young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to play ice hockey.  With the encouragement and support of our friends at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel, MD, we skate every Saturday morning from October through April.  Volunteer coaches and high school mentors challenge the players to improve their hockey skills, increase self-reliance and experience the joy of playing as a team. The challenges our players face in school and as they enter the work world are great.  After  years of this program we know that as our players mature in self-esteem and confidence on the ice, their endeavors at home, in school and at work also benefit.