The American Special Hockey Association currently has over 80 teams competing around the country, and with any luck, it will be adding one more soon.

Max Maksimyadis is a former American Special Hockey Association goalie and a recipient of the USA Disabled Hockey Athlete of the Year Award.

He has cerebral palsy and spastic hemiparesis, which limits his movement on the right side of his body, specifically in his right hand.

It hasn’t ever stopped Max. So, when he was left without a team to play on not too long ago, he decided he would figure it out on his own.

“Mike Dwyer, my coach when I was with the New York Raptors, he always instilled in us to lead…I decided to make my own team, here, in New York,” says Maksimyadis.

The former Raptors goalie is now in charge of a special-needs hockey program that practices at the Brewster Ice Arena. Along with Max, there are multiple mentors that help out each week, all who have given their time to help the kids learn the sport.

If Max can get enough players to join, he can start an American Special Hockey Association  team – a dream he's had since he started the program.