irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $175KTHROUGH THE PROGRAM, HASEK'S HEROES, THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO INSTILL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HONESTY, FELLOWSHIP, INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, SELF DISCIPLINE AND SELF-RELIANCE THAT CAN BE UTILIZED IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
- #2 $305KPROVIDED AN ARENA AT CAZENOVIA PARK FOR LESS FORTUNATE CHILDREN TO ENGAGE IN THE SPORT OF HOCKEY THROUGH CLINICS, TOURNAMENTS AND INSTRUCTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Dominator Goalie Club
Goalie training program for youth of all ages and skill levels focusing on footwork, positioning, and confidence
Heroes House League (HHL)
League for children who have completed the Learn to Play program
Learn to Play
Program teaching fundamentals of hockey including passing, shooting, and team play; operated in partnership with the Buffalo Sabres
Learn to Skate
Introductory program helping children build confidence and essential skating skills
Skills Clinic: (Skate - Pass - Score)
High-intensity session for all ages focusing on edge work, stickhandling, and shooting
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Youth Ice Hockey Development 6 activities
- Competitive youth hockey teams in WNY Regional House LeagueFields competitive youth hockey teams in the 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U age divisions that participate in the WNY Regional House League, offering 2–3 weekly sessions including practices, scrimmages, and local home and away games to build game experience.
- Dominator Goalie Club for youth goaltendersRuns the Dominator Goalie Club, a skills development program for youth goalies of all ages and skill levels, providing elite coaching in footwork, positioning, angles, rebound control, and confidence-building within a supportive community.
- Heroes House League developmental programOperates the Heroes House League, a developmental hockey program focused on fundamentals and enjoyment, with weekly skating sessions held Saturday mornings from September to March for young players of varying skill levels.
- Hockey access initiatives for underserved childrenProvides access to hockey for less fortunate children through clinics, tournaments, and instructive demonstrations at Cazenovia Park, creating opportunities regardless of economic background.
- Youth hockey and skating programs for children ages 5–14Provides free hockey and skating programs for children ages 5 to 14 in the Western New York (WNY) area, including Learn to Play hockey, Learn to Skate, and competitive team participation, with all necessary equipment supplied at no cost to remove financial barriers.
- Youth skills clinics in skating and hockey fundamentalsOffers skills clinics open to youth of all ages focusing on core hockey skills such as skating, passing, shooting, edge work, stickhandling, and muscle memory through high-repetition drills, designed to improve agility, balance, coordination, and speed.
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Youth Sports Community Events 1 activity
- Community events featuring NHL draft prospectsOrganized on-ice events during the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo where youth participants shared the ice with top NHL draft prospects at KeyBank Center, fostering inspiration and engagement through high-profile exposure.
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Ice Rink Operations and Winter Sports Programming 1 activity
- Operation of Riverside and Cazenovia ice rinksManages and operates the Riverside and Cazenovia ice rinks under an agreement with the City of Buffalo, using revenue from these operations to support program funding and sustain youth programming.
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Youth Sports Access and Equipment Support 1 activity
- Sports equipment donation programAccepts clean, gently used hockey and other youth sports equipment through a donation bin located outside the Bud Bakewell Ice Rink in Buffalo, NY, for redistribution to children in need participating in its youth hockey programs.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Free community hockey and arts event with guest athletesHosted a free community event on July 10th at Bud Bakewell Ice Arena featuring Northeastern University goaltender Lawton Zacher, combining hockey instruction with artistic elements to engage youth from Buffalo.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$832K
Contributions & grants$129K15%
Program service revenue$698K84%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$874K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$573K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$935K
Cash$240K
Investments$104K
Liabilities$549K
Net assets$386K
Liquid reserves4.7 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +7.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 17
- AARON BENNETT — DIRECTOR
- ADAM KLEEH — DIRECTOR
- ALYSSA GAGLIARDI — DIRECTOR
- BRENDON BURKE — DIRECTOR
- CHAD RUNG — PRESIDENT
- CHRIS HOWARD — VICE PRESIDENT
- DAVID KLAWON CPA — TREASURER
- DOMINIK HASEK — CHAIRMAN OF BOARD
- JEFF MIECZNIKOWSKI — DIRECTOR
- JIM HORNUNG JR — DIRECTOR
- JOE SPANO — DIRECTOR
- KARL NEWELL — SECRETARY
- MATTHEW COLLARD — DIRECTOR
- OWEN HERNE — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD JURELLER — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT WESTIN — DIRECTOR
- SARAH DUDDY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Buffalo Sabres Partner — Collaborates with Hasek's Heroes to operate the Learn to Play hockey program.
- Buffalo Sabres Partner — Collaborates with the Buffalo Sabres on the Learn to Play program, which includes coaching and Sabres-branded swag for participants.
- City of Buffalo Government — Manages and operates Riverside and Cazenovia ice rinks under an agreement with the City of Buffalo.
- Joe Lo Tempio Partner — Program Director for the Learn to Skate program, serving as primary contact for participant inquiries.
- Joe Lo Tempio Partner — Program Director involved in managing and delivering Hasek's Heroes programming.
- KeyBank Center Partner — Hosted an on-ice event for Hasek's Heroes youth participants during the NHL Draft.
- Level the Playing Field Partner — Partner organization collaborating to operate a donation bin for youth sports equipment at Bud Bakewell Ice Rink.
- Northeastern University Partner — Collaborated with Northeastern University goaltender Lawton Zacher on a community event for youth players.
- WNY Regional House League Partner — Competes in the WNY Regional House League against other local organizations.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Barrier-Free Access Through Equipment and Financial Supportmethodology: barrier_free_accessBy removing financial and equipment barriers, including convenient donation infrastructure, the organization increases access to hockey for underserved youth because reducing logistical and economic obstacles enables broader participation regardless of socioeconomic background.
- Mentorship Through Role Models and Coachesmethodology: mentorship-through-role-modelsBy engaging experienced coaches and high-profile NHL prospects as mentors, the organization inspires motivation and personal development because exposure to successful role models strengthens participants’ aspirations, self-confidence, and commitment to growth.
- Progressive Skill and Player Pathway Modelmethodology: tiered_player_progressionBy structuring training through sequential, tiered progression—from fundamental skating to integrated puck control and competitive play—the organization builds confidence, competence, and sustained engagement because players develop mastery incrementally and are mentored through clear advancement stages.
- Sports-Based Character Developmentmethodology: sports_based_youth_developmentBy using hockey as a structured, repetitive, and team-oriented activity, the organization fosters life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and self-discipline because participation in progressive skill-building and mentorship within a team environment reinforces personal growth and resilience.