Chicago Storm Special Hockey: Fostering Inclusion and Community Engagement

STORM PLAYERS PRACTICE WEEKLY AT FIVE AREA RINKS, SET FOR THE 2025 USA HOCKEY SPECIAL CLASSIC, NOVEMBER 7-9 IN WAYNE, N.J.

By Ross Forman

The Chicago Storm Special Hockey (CSSH) team brings together about 100 players ranging in age from 5 to 55, male and female athletes, plus about 55 volunteers, including on and off-ice volunteers and coaches – all focused on providing children and adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to play hockey, fostering inclusion and community engagement.

The Storm skate every week at five area rinks, with players from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

“Our co-ed team is for people with intellectual disabilities who need more structure than a mainstream hockey program would provide, and are not currently rostered with a mainstream team,” said Michelle Millard, Storm President and co-program director with her husband, Wayne. “We provide a safe, fun environment for our players to learn the great game of hockey. We practice weekly in all five rinks and have one session that is dedicated to learn-to-skate and beginner hockey so players can learn in a quieter environment.

“The player-to-coach/volunteer ratio is lower at this session. There can be a bit of a wait for this session due to increased staffing needs. We encourage people who are interested in learning to skate to check out one of the many adaptive learn to skate programs in their local rinks while they are waiting.”

The Chicago Storm Special Hockey practices at rinks in Chicago, Rockford, Gurnee, Glen Ellyn and Orland Park.

The Storm builds a supportive environment for individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism and down syndrome, to learn and enjoy the sport of hockey. The team is committed to promoting physical activity, social skills and confidence among its players.

“We were skating at an open skate and a picture of our son on skates wearing a Blackhawks jersey was (shared) on Facebook,” Millard said. “One of my husband’s friends saw it and told us about the team that skated out of Glen Ellyn where her kids skated. We contacted the program director and the rest is history.”

Millard, who lives in Schererville, Ind., has been with the Storm for 12 years and they are in their fourth season as co-program directors.

“Just like any hockey program, all players are different. What stands out (about the Storm) is the love of hockey – from the players and volunteer staff,” she said. “They come to the rink ready to go every weekend. The players are ready to talk hockey when they get to the rink,” with a season running from September through March.

“Their dedication to the sport is inspiring.”

The Storm players are wide-ranging, including Andrew, who recently retired as a Storm goalie after playing with the team for 25 years. This year, there is a player whose father has coached for the Storm for seven years. “Each year he tried to get his son to join us as he is a huge hockey fan. This year he decided to play and is doing amazing,” she said.

“Our program continues to grow.  We are excited to see the improvement and increased ‘hockey knowledge’ in our players. We want the players to have fun and grow their love for the sport. They should come off the ice sweaty but smiling.”

And cherishing their hockey life.

Millard brags about countless memories, travel tournaments, great skates with local clubs, skating at the United Center before Blackhawks games and more. “The best memories include meeting great people; this team is truly a family,” she said.

“The team has a history of collaboration with the Chicago Blackhawks, including special events like the ‘Hockey Holiday,’ where players get to skate with Blackhawks players. Such events not only provide memorable experiences for the athletes but also promote awareness and support for adaptive sports within the community.

“The team is supported by a network of volunteers, including junior coaches who help teach the players. This community involvement fosters a family-like atmosphere, where everyone contributes to the growth and enjoyment of the sport.”

The USA Hockey Special Classic is an annual showcase event, celebrating the special hockey discipline, bringing together players and teams from all over the country for a weekend of camaraderie and fun on and off the ice – including the Storm.

The 2025 USA Hockey Special Classic is November 7-9 at the Ice Vault in Wayne, N.J.

“Having 100 players of varying skill levels allows us to have great scrimmages at the end of practices,” Millard said. “We are trying to have some scrimmages this year where players may have to travel to another rink to meet and play their teammates. We do scrimmage against each other when we play before Chicago Blackhawks, Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Wolves games. We also play local clubs and high schools who invite us to play in fundraising games. 

“The Vikings do a huge day for us yearly in Orland Park which is a major highlight. We have played with the Vipers, Leafs, Neuqua Valley and the Cyclones in recent years.”

Millard added: “After (the pandemic), quite a few players and/or staff did not return to the program. We are seeing some of these people returning now and are seeing quite a bit of interest in the program. We are doing our best to safely bring new players on while keeping the rinks and events properly staffed. It is fun to sit in the stands during practice and hear the parents and families talk. As the players support each other on and off the ice, the families can network and help each other, too. 

“This team not only gives our players a place to play hockey; it also gives the players and their families a safe place to belong and call their own.”

Each of the five rinks has a Storm head coach and the coaches run practices slightly different, though the concentration is skating and hockey fundamentals. “The challenge is running a practice with a lot of different skill and age levels at each rink,” she said. “We want to keep our more advanced players challenged and learning but not leave our other players out.” 

At the Storm holiday party a year ago, the club welcomed many special guests, including members of the Chicago Blackhawks, including Alex Vlasic, Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy and Connor Bedard. “The looks on the players’ and parents’ faces were priceless when the Blackhawks came skating out,” Millard said. “It was a day all of us will never forget.”

Also of note, when the Rockford IceHogs wore Storm replica jerseys for their Autism Awareness Game in Rockford.

“We love hockey – playing, learning and of course winning,” she said. “When we travel to tournaments and the craziness of hockey is done for the day, these players and their families let loose and have fun. The annual cannonball contests at the pool of our hotels can be legendary. When the players and their families get together, they can relax, let loose and just enjoy being with each other.”

The Storm is fully staffed by volunteers. Some of the volunteers and coaches have players on the team, so they volunteer at the rink where their player is assigned to practice. Many of their volunteers do not have a player or family member in the program; they show up every week and give their time for the love of the game and this team. Volunteers can be coaches, junior coaches, on-ice volunteers who mentor and assist the players, or, off-ice volunteers who assist in locker rooms, planning events, fundraising, managing rinks, etc.

** For more information about Chicago Storm Special Hockey, go to: www.chicagospecialhockey.org.