Developing fitness, discipline and sportsmanship through hockey;
enhancing the lives of our athletes both on and off the ice.

Welcome!

The Hockey Association for the Developmentally Challenged (HADC) Gladiators Hockey Club was established in 1995 to give developmentally challenged individuals the opportunity to play hockey in a structured program and learning environment.  Since then, our families, coaches and volunteers have been working together to make the Canadian dream of playing hockey a reality for our challenged athletes.

All our players have a disability; nevertheless, it is not their disability that is our focus, but their ability, their enthusiasm and their desire to succeed.  Our program is geared to individual needs, without age, ability or gender restrictions.

We believe that all individuals have the right to play sports, and in particular, hockey.

Participants will be able to develop their coordination skills, strength and endurance. In addition, they will learn about sportsmanship, fair play and cooperation, as well as enjoy the camaraderie that playing on a team offers. Our coaches and volunteers work hard to meet the needs of all athletes, whether it is teaching them to skate, or challenging them with drills and advanced techniques.

Our hockey program is:

  • Provided by experienced educators/coaches
  • Supported by Hockey Canada Centre of Excellence
  • Skill development, team play and cooperation are always stressed

And, our #1 Rule is … Have Fun!

We are a federally registered charity with no funding support, and are therefore dependent on our fundraising efforts to keep our athletes on the ice!

Our home arena is the Gord and Irene Risk Community Centre Arena located at 2650 Finch Ave. West in North York (Toronto), Ontario.

HADC Gladiators are proud members and fully accredited with these governing bodies:

HADC Gladiators are proudly affiliated with:

We like to play together, and party together!  During our hockey season, our athletes are kept busy with practices, home games and away games with our fellow league teams.  And through our social program, we celebrate special events like Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s, and enjoy get-togethers throughout the season.  As well, we work together to make our fundraising program a success!

Our hockey club is a member of Special Hockey International (SHI) along with 46 member clubs from Canada, USA, England and Europe.  Each year, SHI brings us all together in a different city for a 4-day tournament to play hockey and enjoy all the benefits that an international tournament provides.  The Annual SHI Tournament is a highlight of our season!

Join us on the Ice