The Great Blizz opens 2026-27 season at four Massachusetts rinks

The Great Blizzards of Massachusetts Special Hockey Inc. is starting its 2026-2027 season this weekend with practices and games at four home rinks across Massachusetts. The program, built for athletes with intellectual, cognitive and developmental disabilities, will welcome back more than 100 players and new skaters with no experience required.

Why it matters: - The Great Blizz gives athletes with intellectual, cognitive and developmental disabilities a chance to play organized hockey on a real team. - The program has grown from one rink in Kingston to four home rinks across Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, the North Shore and Martha's Vineyard. - Season access remains open to new players, with equipment loaned to every registered athlete and no family turned away over cost.

What happened: - The Great Blizz opens its 2026-2027 season this weekend with practices and games at all four home rinks. - More than 100 athletes are returning for the season. - Opening weekend begins Saturday, September 19, at The Bog Ice Arena in Kingston at 7:00 a.m. and Tony Kent Community Arena in South Dennis at 11:20 a.m. - Sunday, September 20, includes sessions at Martha's Vineyard Ice Arena at the YMCA in Oak Bluffs at 10:10 a.m. and Lawrence Larsen Skating Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center in Winthrop at 3:10 p.m. - The season runs weekly through April 11.

The details: - The Great Blizz was founded in 2019 by Steve Nearman and Erick McCroskey with ten players at a single Kingston rink. - The organization says it was the first to bring ice hockey to Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. - The program added the North Shore and Martha's Vineyard in 2025. - The team is open to ages 4 through adulthood and welcomes all genders. - No skating or hockey experience is required. - New families receive a three-practice free trial. - Registration costs $350 for the season. - The group says that covers about a quarter of the actual cost of keeping one athlete on the ice. - The program is run entirely by volunteers. - The Great Blizz is a 501(c)(3) public charity and a member of USA Hockey, Massachusetts Hockey and Special Hockey International. - The organization plans travel to tournaments in Hallowell, Maine, on October 24 and 25, and St. Albans, Vermont, on November 21 and 22, along with other out-of-state and international events.

Between the lines: - The season launch shows how the program is scaling while keeping a low-cost model for families. - Volunteer staffing and outside fundraising remain central to covering the gap between registration fees and operating costs. - The quote from Nearman underscores the group’s focus on independent play, coaching and game-day experience rather than a modified version of the sport.

What's next: - Families interested in the free trial can contact Coach Nearman directly or register at thegreatblizz.org. - The team will move into weekly play through mid-April and continue preparing for fall tournament travel. - Supporters, volunteers, coaches and sponsors can join the program as the season begins.

The bottom line: - The Great Blizz is entering its new season with more athletes, more rinks and the same volunteer-driven model that has powered its growth since 2019.