Sports & Recreation — Sled Hockey

Anyone with a disability that would prevent them from participating in “stand-up hockey” is a candidate for sled hockey. It is a sport that allows players with mobility limitations (amputees, and able-bodied people with knee, leg or hip injuries) to play, and requires great upper-body strength, balance and the ability to handle the puck. Even able-bodied individuals enjoy the sport of sled hockey but are generally at a disadvantage due to the lack of superior upper body strength of a wheelchair user.
 

Sled hockey, or sledge hockey, as it is referred to outside of the Untied States, originated in Sweden in 1940 and has been played in Europe since 1971. Canada soon followed the trend and boasts the largest program in the world. It came to the United States back in 1989 with the first and only national team at the time based in Minnesota. Today, many established programs conduct weekly practices and games throughout the United States. The national governing body of the sport is the United States Sled Hockey Association (USSHA).


Players use the same type of equipment as in “stand-up hockey” with the exception of the skates. For this, they use a sled, which consists of a cushioned seat mounted on a tubular sled that has skate blades and a center pivot underneath. The player sits four inches above the ice and is held into the sled with Velcro straps. Two shortened hockey sticks are used to handle the puck as well as propel themselves across the ice.

For information on Sled Hockey practice times and schedule!

RESOURCES & UPCOMING EVENTS

RESOURCES US Sled Hockey Association President Mr. Francis X. St Germain III 25 Club Valley Drive East Falmouth, MA 02536 508-564-6740 Email: ksaint12@adelphia.net American Sled Hockey Association c/o John Schatzlein 2550 Delaware St., S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-819-5275 Email:info@sledhockey.org Floor Hockey @ John Box President - Colours In Motion 1591 S. Sinclair St. Anaheim, CA 92806 Voice/FAX: 714-939-8727 Email: amalebox@aol.com U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association 7216 39th Ave. N. New Hope, MN 55427 612-535-4736 Email: hockey@usewha.org Website: www.powerhockey.com American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association 1143 West Lake Street Chicago, Illinois 60607 Phone: (312) 226-5880 Fax: (312) 829-2098 E-mail: Cheryl_Hager@ahiha.org Website: www.ahiha.org Local Additional Website Contact: www.coloradowheelchairsports.org   For information on International Sled Hockey, visit www.paralympic.org UPCOMING EVENTS Check back soon!