BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As a mission to help "the city that has been good" to his family, Sabres' legend Dominik Hasek started "Hasek's Heroes". The organization gives underprivileged youth the chance to learn the game of hockey by providing free skating lessons and hockey gear.
The free youth program is the second-largest of its kind across the 32 NHL cities. Now for nearly two decades, the program has provided this opportunity to thousands of kids across the region.
Program Coordinator and Head Coach Joe LoTempio joined the program four years ago. To share his knowledge of hockey with the next generation of players is his biggest motivator.
"I fell in love with the program," LoTempio said. "Getting the opportunity to teach and train young kids about the game that I grew to love, it's how I got involved."
Assistant Coach Faustin Ushindi has been involved with the program for the last four years, originally as a player. He has since worked his way up to become a coach and mentor.
"It's gone really fast going from a camper in 2018," Ushindi said. "Having the chance to give back to this community is something I'm really grateful for. Seeing reactions of kids, I have a memory of myself with the same reaction. It was gives a great feeling."
Ushindi is now a senior in high school and a junior leage hockey player. He's expecting to enter his name into the NHL Draft this year.
For parents like Jill Murphy, the program has been an amazing experience for her son, Ethan Lazore.
"It's great," Murphy said. "It's really good for him to build up some confidence. Joe is really great at getting the kids going and teaching the kids what they need to know. It's really great."
The program is free. To sigh your child up for the program, contact Joe LoTempio at joe@haseksheroes.org. If you'd like to volunteer as a coach or donate to Hasek's Heroes, you can find more information here.
