2023-24 Junior Sled Wings Team

09/16/2023 08:30 AM - 04/27/2024 10:15 AM ET

Location

Griff's Icehouse
30 Coldbrook St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI

Summary

Sled hockey provides opportunity for athletes with many types of disabilities to compete in local areas for recreation and competition all the way to the National Sled Hockey Team that plays at the Paralympic level. Sled Hockey is rapidly growing in the US and players are "hooked" once they touch the ice for the first time. This team is intended for those who thrive on competitive and physical play.

Description

Sled hockey (also referred to as sledge hockey and para ice hockey) was invented at a Stockholm, Sweden rehabilitation center in the early 1960's by a group of Swedes who, despite their physical disability, wanted to continue playing hockey. It was introduced at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Games and the US won its first Paralympic medal in the sport - gold medal - at the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games.

Sled hockey follows most of the typical ice hockey rules with the exception some of the equipment. Players sit in specially designed sleds that sit on top of two hockey skate blades. There are two sticks for each player, instead of one, and the sticks have metal picks on the butt end for players to propel themselves. Goalies wear basically the same equipment but do make modifications to the glove. Metal picks are sewn into the backside to allow the goalie to maneuver.

Sled hockey provides opportunities for many types of disabilities at the local level for recreation/competition, all the way to the National Sled Team that plays in World Championships and the Paralympics.

Dates: Saturday mornings, starting September 16 or September 23, 2023 – April 2024

A detailed schedule will be sent out at the beginning of the season

Practice Time: 8:30am-10:15am
Location: Griff’s Icehouse (East Rink), 30 Coldbrook ST. NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Age: 7-18
Cost: $104 Pay-to-Play Fee

Additional Cost: $51 USA Hockey membership fee, payable online at: Click Here to Register! Must be a member before starting practice.