By Nancy Emory
Sled hockey is an adaptation of ice hockey for players who have a physical disability. It was invented in the 1960s in Sweden by two men that wanted to continue to play hockey but had physical disabilities.
Sled hockey has most of the rules as stand-up ice hockey except for the difference in equipment. The players sit in a special sled that has two skate blades attached underneath (blades are close together so that the player can turn and upright themselves). They have two sticks like a regular ice hockey stick but are shortened and have metal picks on the end that helps the player propel himself on the ice. Goalies have most of the same equipment and have the metal picks attached to the back of the glove so that they can move on the ice while catching and scooping.
Sled hockey has been a paralympic sport since 1994. Since 2010 it is a mixed-gender event and it’s one of the most popular events in the Winter Paralympics. Sometimes sled hockey is referred to as sledge hockey or para-hockey.
We have our sled hockey team in Central Vermont – Troy Kingsbury’s Central Vermont Pioneers. It’s a nonprofit organization that gives our players with physical challenges an opportunity that will last a lifetime. Someone with physical challenges can find it hard to play sports. However, in sled hockey they can quickly move on the ice, propel themselves, compete and have the satisfaction that they are playing with a team. The players strive, just like in stand-up hockey, to score those goals for the team and in life. They make friends and memories that impact a lifetime. The Pioneers have guys and gals, and ages range from 6 to 65. The Pioneers are from all over central Vermont and usually practice at the Ice Center in Waterbury or Montpelier Civic Center.
Here is information about our local pioneers. There are more than 1,000 disabled kids and adults around The Valley, and we want to involve more of those 1,000. For a new player, it costs $800 for a sled, $350 for a helmet and safety equipment. We also need support to have ice time to practice and host games. To go to a tournament, it costs about $1,500 to stay in a handicapped-accessible room, $800 for tournament fees and $400 for food (they try to bring their own).
We are having a donation fundraiser through June and July to support the Central Vermont Pioneers and on June 24 a golf event. For this golf event, whether you play or not, we would appreciate any amount of donation to support the Pioneers with the supplies needed to outfit the new and old payers. Checks can be made out to Central Vermont Pioneers and left at the VG (Village Grocery) in Waitsfield or contact Nancy Emory for pick up or mail to P.O. Box 554, Waitsfield, VT 05673. For more information
Nancy Emory lives in Waitsfield.
