Athletes with special needs take the ice for tournament

Round Lake resident Melanie Freeman remembers how she was surprised when her autistic and epileptic son told her he wanted to play hockey.

As it turned out, Freeman's son, 23-year-old Evan Madsen, is a veteran of what now is Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey. The squad became officially affiliated with the Blackhawks about a year ago and is part of the Thanksgiving Shootout tournament's disabled division at Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills.

Teams representing St. Louis and Madison, Wisconsin, are with the Special Blackhawks in the tourney that concludes Sunday. The Hawks are scheduled to hit the ice at noon Saturday.

Special Blackhawks players, from 5 years old to their 50s, have autism, Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities, team officials said. Freeman, who became a volunteer for the squad after her son started playing 13 years ago, said hockey is therapeutic for him.

"My son has autism and epilepsy," Freeman said as the Special Blackhawks warmed up Friday before a spirited 10-7 win over Gateway Hockey at the Glacier. "And getting out there and getting that exercise, even the focus that's required to follow the puck and shoot the goals, that's just something. You're building brain cells. It's wonderful for him."

Paul Mueller of Aurora said there's meaning for his two sons - 19-year-old Ryan and Mike, 16 - to be part of the extended Blackhawks organization. The disabled team received new sweaters with an officially sanctioned Blackhawks logo and hockey socks, along with a welcome letter from captain Jonathan Toews, at a ceremony at Glacier during the 2014 Thanksgiving Shootout.

"The Blackhawks do a lot for this organization with the sweaters and the ice time," Mueller said. "And for all of the athletes, just to say, 'Yeah, I'm part of the Chicago Blackhawks,' it's a big deal."

Ryan Mueller, who played center in Friday's game, likes the idea of playing at the United Center before the Blackhawks host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, Jan. 3.

"It's pretty cool," he said. "We do it every year."

In Friday's action, some Special Blackhawks and Gateway Hockey players celebrated goals in flashy ways similar to professionals. Players shook hands after the game and saluted the spectators by raising their sticks.

Naperville resident Amy LaPoe founded what became Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey about 16 years ago. Originally the Tomahawks, it was supported by the National Hockey League team long before the link became official in 2014, she said.

Steve Drews of Wheaton, an architect by day, is in his eighth year coaching in the Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey program. Exercise, camaraderie and friendships are part of what the players experience, he said.

Drews said individual attention is given to players and based on their needs. Players also change lines when a buzzer sounds so those with similar skill levels can be on the ice at the same time.

Seeing a player's smile after a goal or a slick move is one of the joys of coaching the Special Blackhawks, said Drews, a 36-year local hockey referee.

"At the beginning of the year, they come up and they give you a hug and things like that," he said. "It really gets, sometimes, emotional. So, it's really fun to watch them."