Sled hockey, also known as “sledge hockey” outside of the United States, was invented by three men from Sweden at a rehabilitation center in the early 1960s. Due to their physical disabilities, they could not play normal ice hockey, so they invented a type of hockey that can be played by physically disabled people. I know all about Sled Hockey because I play for a sled hockey team called the Sacramento Lightning. Our home rink is in Roseville at the Skatetown Arena. We practice every Saturday from September to February. Participating in sled hockey is very exciting, when you are out on the ice, you crash into the boards or other players, fall on the ice, and get to have lots of fun.

  There are many similarities between ice hockey and sled hockey. Both types of hockey wear the same protective equipment; elbow pads, gloves, helmet, kneepads, and shoulder pads. The rules are the same in sled hockey as in ice hockey. There are as many hits into the boards and falls on the ice in sled hockey as there are in ice hockey. In tournament play for the younger players, some team members that have more severe disabilities wear red shirts; this means that other players cannot hit them with their sleds or run them into the boards as they are might be injured.

  Players strap themselves into plastic buckets, supported by metal runners, which have two ice skate blades welded to the bottom. They use the top end of a standard hockey stick (about 2 -3 feet long) that has been fitted with spikes on the straight end to dig into the ice so they can push themselves around the ice.  When they want to handle the puck, they turn the stick over and use the curved end. Many teams have able-bodied players that participate as well. Once you are in the sled everyone is equal, as no one can use their legs, only their upper bodies. There are sled hockey leagues all over the United States, that play locally as well as in tournament competition. Every four years the best teams compete for a spot on the USA Para Olympic team so they can represent our country and win gold.

  I had the opportunity to interview my coach, Ray Free. Ray told me all about the history of our team, which was started in 2002 by Steve Hornsey and US Paralympic sled hockey player Dave Conklin. Ray has been the captain of the team for four years and coach for the last two years. He has played in tournaments in Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah. His goal is to take us to a tournament and compete. On Saturday, I invited a fellow Pitman student, Randy Heckathorn, to practice with the team. After practice, Randy told me, “It’s hard, but it’s a lot of fun! I think everyone should do it. It’s a great way for disabled people to get out, meet people, and have fun.”

  I hope that if you ever get a chance to watch or play sled hockey you will also try it.