Sled Hockey
For many in New Hampshire and throughout the northeast, the arrival of winter means the start of hockey season. For those with mobility impairments, winter still means hockey…sled hockey!
| Sled hockey is an ice sport that allows individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy and participate in the popular winter sport. Sled hockey is played as a team sport and the concepts and rules are very similar to “stand-up” hockey. Instead of standing up to skate, participants sit on their skate, using an adaptive device known as a sled. To propel themselves, players use two shortened hockey sticks with a blade on one end and an ice pick (similar to the end of a figure skate) on the other end. |  |
Hard checking, pin point passing, and 60-mile an hour slap shots are as much a part of sled hockey as they are in “stand-up” hockey. From beginners to the most aggressive competitors, Northeast Passage welcomes all participants to try the sport or be a part of the Northeast Passage team.
The Northeast Passage/UNH Sled Hockey Team practices weekly in Tilton,
New Hampshire and competes in the Northeast Sled Hockey League with
teams from New England and beyond.
Click
here to watch the team in action! This short video was compiled
by a member of the team.
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Northeast Passage also offers interested participants the opportunity to try sled hockey in a more casual atmosphere during UNH’s open ice times on Wednesday mornings. Participants are welcome to come try a sled, work on technique and socialize with other sled hockey players. Open ice is available to anyone who is interested – Join NEP for one date or all of them. Please check the calendar for a full list of sled hockey dates. |
Northeast Passage, UNH Athletics, and the Paralympics:
Northeast Passage, UNH Athletics, and the US Paralympics have joined
forces to create a unique model for sled hockey and sled hockey development.
The Northeast Passage team competes in the Northeast Sled Hockey league
and in other games and events in the northeast. While this team is
open to all participants, it provides some players the unique opportunity
to be a college student and a sled hockey player at the same time,
without compromise. These student athletes have access to the same
facilities and coaching as their able bodied counterparts. This benefit,
combined with Northeast Passage’s Paralympic Academy status,
allows these same athletes the opportunity to work with and mentor
the next generation of sled hockey players. Please see the Paralympic
Athlete Development page for more information on this program
or contact Northeast Passage directly.
