New youth hockey program opens up the sport
by Jordan Stoopler
Seven-year-old Yaakov Aintabi has no trouble waking up early on Sunday mornings.
“It is the only day my son is happy,” said his mother, Ariel Davidson. “He wakes me up at 7:20 in the morning, telling me we’re going to be late for hockey if I don’t get up.”
Yaakov is a goaltender and a regular at the Avalanche Kidz Hockey program, which runs out of Ed Meagher Arena in NDG. The learn-to-skate and hockey-skills development program, geared towards special-needs children between the ages of 4 and 11, was the brainchild of Davidson, as she sought a group that would accommodate her special needs son.
“I tried to put my son in minor hockey first, but he was refused,” said Davidson. “They told me he would just end up on the bench and that it wasn’t a good idea. There are many children in the same boat as Yaakov and so, we created something.”
Davidson turned to the founder of the Quebec Avalanche Hockey Club Vinnie Matteo to help get the program off the ground. Matteo, who has operated his hockey program for over 40 years, brought in his daughter Linda Matteo, a hockey player herself for 25 years, to serve as head coach. Additional certified coaches and student volunteers from local high schools round out the on-ice staff.
“The program is designed around mentorship, leadership and recognizing that hockey is for everyone,” said Linda. “We made this program affordable and accessible. It doesn’t matter if your child has a specific disorder or not. We are here to make sure that everyone comes together, and [that] we enjoy the sport.”
The program began this past September with 30 participants, with enrollment nearly doubling to 57 in January. Davidson said more than 100 have already pre-registered for the program next year. Almost half of the registrants are autistic kids or those with developmental delays or gravitational insecurities.
“It is non-competitive and adapted to each person’s individual needs,” said Davidson. “They play games against themselves, and we purposely don’t keep score. Everybody is a winner. It’s about making the kids feel comfortable and having fun. They like being a part of something.”
In recent months, those in low-income families and Ukrainian refugees new to Canada have also signed on.
“There are some language barriers, but once we hit the ice, we all speak the universal language of hockey,” said Linda. “You don’t see colour, religion, or nationality until you turn around and look at the parents in the stands.”
She takes great pride in the program and recognizes the value it has brought to her life so far.
“It is so rewarding,” she said. “It’s not about what I am doing for them, but what they are doing for me. I’m so grateful and appreciative for everything that I see and learn. I’ve matured and grown myself. I love working with these kids.”
Registration for next season (September 2023-April 2024) is scheduled for this summer. Participants must be between the ages of 4 to13, be mobile, verbal and able to wear a helmet. https://avalanchekidz.ca.
Avalanche Kidz is also in search of jersey and equipment sponsors as well as volunteers with experience working with special-needs children who know how to skate. Please contact Linda Matteo at avalanchekidz@gmail.com for sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.
