Who Can Play?

This sport is played by everyone, youth and adults, ages 6-70. It is a sport that totally integrates players with mobility limitations, amputees and able-bodied people with knee, leg or hip injuries that limit their participation in traditional hockey.

Physical Fitness

Sled Hockey players discover that piloting a sled is fun and a great form of exercise. It increases strength and coordination and also conditions the lower body. The balance used to propel, play the puck, turn and stop gives legs, back and abdominal muscles a great work out. In fact, paraplegics playing regularly notice an increase in balance when using their wheelchairs.

Sled hockey was first developed in Norway in 1971 in order to meet the special recreational, emotional and physical needs of youth and adults with disabilities. Sled hockey is similar to ice hockey. There are six players on the ice including the goal tender and it is played on a full size ice rink. The biggest difference is the equipment used. Players are strapped into small sleds which have a back rest and two skate blades on the bottom. Straps around the ankles, knees and waist securely hold the player on the sled. Players slide to a stop on one or both blades like a skater. The sleds are high enough off the ice surface that they can pass the puck underneath from side to side.

Instead of one long hockey stick, Sled Hockey players use two short sticks with metal picks on one end and a wooden paddle blade on the other.  They use the pick end to propel themselves across the ice.  When it’s time to handle the puck, they just turn their wrists and handle the puck side to side with the paddle blade ends.  Leaning left or right while digging the stick into the ice turns the sled.  The rest of the equipment is basically the same as that required for standard ice hockey. . . helmet with face shield and gloves as well as shoulder, leg and elbow pads.

Play Sled Hockey.  Sacramento Lightning team practices are currently being held on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:15 pm starting September 27.  Skaters can also participate in any of Skatetown's sticktimes - check the calendar for current schedule.  Full equipment is required (shoulder pads, neck guard, elbow pads, knee pads, gloves and hockey pants), including a HECC approved helmet.  Players must read and sign a waiver.  

For more information

http://www.sacramentosledhockey.org/