Hasek's Heroes

Hasek's Heroes, founded in 2001 by Dominik Hasek, an NHL legend, is a non-profit developmental hockey program based in Western New York, United States. The organization aims to provide ice hockey opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth in Buffalo. Hasek's Heroes received a generous gift of $1 million from Dominik Hasek, which facilitated the provision of equipment, coaching, and ice time for inner-city youth. The program also offers academic tutoring, team building skills, and serves as a safe haven for the participants. In December 2004, Hasek's Heroes took over the operation of the Riverside Park’s Reuben “Bud” Bakewell Ice Rink. The organization subsequently expanded its program to the Cazenovia Timothy J. Burvid Ice Rink in South Buffalo through a partnership with the Buffalo Sabres Foundation in 2011. To date, Hasek's Heroes has provided ice-skating skills and hockey participation at no cost to over 600 underprivileged youth in Buffalo. It has become the second-largest program of its kind across all NHL cities in the U.S. and Canada, behind only the Ed Snyder Foundation in Philadelphia. The initiative focuses on utilizing hockey as a catalyst for children to realize their full potential, offering a safe after-school and weekend activity, as well as mentorship and coaching for the participants. Hasek's Heroes stands as a testament to Dominik Hasek's benevolence and commitment to providing opportunities for the underprivileged youth of Buffalo.