When Jen Woods and Brooke Avakian decided they wanted to bring special needs ice hockey to Martha’s Vineyard, they had no idea they’d be joining a statewide hockey family.

But in November, the Island will officially become a new home to The Great Blizzards, an all-ages special needs ice hockey team with three other locations in Massachusetts led by Coach Steve Nearman.

Mr. Nearman has run the Great Blizzards program since 2019. It started in Kingston before expanding to Winthrop, South Dennis and now the Vineyard. On Sunday, the team held an open house at the YMCA’s ice arena to connect with interested members of the community. 

Steve Nearman heads the team, which has three other locations.

Tim Johnson

Steve Nearman heads the team, which has three other locations.

Tim Johnson

Several potential players and their families came to the open house Sunday. For Mr. Nearman, the goal is to make sure no player is left behind.

“For a long time, there have been a lot of people who have kids who play hockey, and then one [kid] doesn’t because of a cognitive or intellectual or developmental disability, and they’re like, ‘Why can’t I play?’” he said.

Ms. Woods is a hockey player who runs a life skills program at the high school for people between 18 and 22 with special needs. She and Ms. Avakian, who is the chair of Island Autism, reached out to Mr. Nearman for advice on opening up the sport their families love to people of all abilities on the Island.

When Mr. Nearman asked instead if the Vineyard could be a fourth location for the Great Blizzards, they were ecstatic.

“[Mr. Nearman] has such a well-oiled machine already that it just seemed really easy,” Ms. Woods said. “Six weeks later, we’re here.”

Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m., the Great Blizzards will take the YMCA rink for practice. Ms. Woods will be on the ice, helping Mr. Nearman coach the team. Ms. Avakian will help manage the team behind the scenes.

Unlike most hockey teams, the Great Blizzards consists of players ranging widely in age, size and ability. Players of any age over four can join, and the team serves players with many different disabilities. As a result, Mr. Nearman’s approach to coaching is specifically tailored to each player’s needs.

“You have to really look at each player individually,” he said.

But working to foster a nurturing team dynamic is one of Mr. Nearman’s favorite parts of the job. Great Blizzards players from all four locations have the opportunity to attend tournaments across North America and meet teammates they didn’t even know they had. In March, Mr. Nearman plans to take his players to compete in Toronto. 

The Great Blizzards’s mission isn’t just to play great hockey. It’s also to help players develop the tools to succeed in every area of life.

“We use silly games to teach a lot of life skills … following instructions, working as a team,” Mr. Nearman said.

Ms. Avakian said the team will give her son Cooper, 12, a chance to play the game his siblings and father enjoy.

“The whole family is involved in this sport, and now we can do it together,” Ms. Avakian said.