Floorball 2026

City Hawks coach Eric Markiewicz, left, cheers with athlete Donnell Tucker (12) and team as they enter overtime in their match. (Photo by Kathryn Zurovchak)
Quentin Smith, left, and Griffin Donohoe, right, of the Saratoga Surge, celebrate winning a gold medal. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)
Teammates from the Panthers, from the New York City region, talk after receiving first place in their floorball division. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)

By Vi Monsees

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Nazareth University’s Golisano Training Center opened its doors at 8:45 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2026, to welcome 24 teams of Special Olympics athletes from around New York State for its annual floorball competition. Split into six divisions, participating athletes started competing in the late morning and played through the afternoon.

Courts packed with players and lined with spectators roared to life between encouraging words from teammates on the bench during sprints down rinks or eruptions of cheers from the crowd after athletes scored. Floorball’s quick pace highlighted the skills of athletes in real-time, including their stick work and shots. Off-court, teams spent time running practice drills and supporting other athletes.

Athletes on the Saratoga Surge from the Hudson Valley region pose with their gold medals during floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)
2026 Special Olympics New York bronze medals are displayed before being awarded to the third place team. (Photo by Luke Gibson)

“Being a leader’s not as easy as you think it is,” said Kenai Nicholas, a captain for the City Hawks. “You go to learn discipline. We’ve got to learn our strengths and weaknesses in teamwork.”

Nicholas, from Manhattan, has been playing floorball for three years. His team won bronze in Special Olympics 2023, silver in 2024 and gold in 2025.

The Capitol Region’s Saratoga Surge have a team meeting before a floorball game. (Photo by Luke Gibson)
Joseph Rigutti stretches before a match. (Photo by Genevieve Gutierrez)
Karen Ayers, left, Amanda Vita, and Benjamin Beavers joke around on the sidelines. (Photo by Genevieve Gutierrez)
City Hawks coach Daryl Bush watches his team compete. (Photo by Julia Pulaski )
The Saratoga Surge from the Capital Region celebrate during floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Genevieve Gutierrez)
Saratoga Surge’s Quentin Smith, left, and Panther’ James Jones III compete for the ball during their match. (Photo by Genevieve Gutierrez)
Spectators watch floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. (Photo by Luke Gibson)
Irina Ritchie, left, of the Westside Wolverines battles for control of the ball with a player from the Buffalo Hot Shots. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)

Floorball Portraits by Skylier Grooms

Westside, Genesee Region
Chris Kafer, Albany Mighty Pucks, Albany Region
Damien Gallo, Long Island Lions, Long Island Region
Commack Sharks, Long Island Region.
Robert Struzik, Rockets, Genesee Region
Deanna Falc, Lifetime Assistant
Matt Barber, Rockets, Genesee Region
Long Island Lions, Long Island Region
Mehl Francis, Riverview School, NYC Region
Chris Nunez, Riverview School, NYC Region
Travis Crocket, Riverview School, NYC Region
City Hawks’ goalie Jalen Singleton watches game action on the court. (Photo by Julia Pulaski )
Michael Healy talks with his son Matthew Healy during on the sidelines of competition. (Photo by Julia Pulaski )
Mary Beth Moran, left, cheers for her son, Saratoga Surge’s Griffin Donohoe, during floorball competition. “We don’t see the hardships they go through everyday when they’re out there,” said Moran. Family friend Julie Robarge, striped shirt, said, “There’s so much joy, win or lose. It’s the greatest feeling.” (Photo by Kathryn Zurovchak)
Mighty Pucks’ Matt Graham, from the Capital Region, heads toward the goal during a match against the City Hawks. (Photo by Julia Pulaski)
(Left) Gear Buffalo Hot ShotsÕ Robert Gear reacts diromg floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center. (Photo by Reed Newton) (Right) Members of the City Hawks, from the New York City region, run drills. (Photo by Luke Gibson)
Teammates from the City Hawks, from the Capital Region, warm up before competing. (Photo by Genevieve Gutierrez)
Pictured in foreground from left, Parris Adams, Coach Michael Juby, and Brandon Duski of the Buffalo Yellow Jackets stretch before their floorball match at Nazareth Golisano Training Center. The team is from the Western Region. (Photo by Reed Newton)
Teammates from the Buffalo Storm stretch before their floorball match at Nazareth Golisano Training Center. The team is known for their black polka dot socks, which they say helps them stand out. (Photo by Reed Newton)

Venue setup by Paul Besch-Turner

Volunteers move boards that will ring the courts into the competition area at Nazareth Golisano Training Center.
Volunteers move a goal during setup.
Kyle Walsh, left, helps organize venue setup.
Kyle Walsh, kneeling, demonstrates how to connect the wall board segments to venue volunteers. (Photo by Paul Besch-Turner)