Sled Hockey 101
By Abby Farrell
July is Disability Pride Month, so to celebrate, we wanted to take a look at the sport of sled hockey. Read more to learn the basics of the sport as well as the science behind it.
Sled hockey debuted at the 1994 Paralympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, and has since become one of the most popular Paralympic winter sports.
The United States dominated the competition at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, taking home the gold medal for the fifth time since 2002.
Here are some of the basics behind this burgeoning event.
Who can play?
The only requirement for participation in sled hockey is that an individual must have a disability that prohibits the athlete from playing stand-up hockey. This may include disabilities such as amputations, spina bifida or spinal cord injuries.
Equipment
Each athlete uses a sled that is specifically created to fit each individual and sits in a “bucket” most commonly made out of molded plastic. The bucket sits on top of an aluminum frame with two hockey blades attached to the bottom. These blades may sit further apart or closer together, depending on the athlete’s skill level and core function. The closer together the blades are, the less stability there is but it allows for sharper turns which is ideal for elite athletes.
These sleds also have straps to keep athletes secure so that they can move quickly and efficiently. Contrary to Olympic hockey, sled hockey players use two, much shorter hockey sticks with metal picks attached to the butt end for players to use to propel themselves on the ice, which they then flip down to hit the puck with the blade.
Originally, sleds were built out of steel and could weigh 35 to 40 pounds. Over time technology evolved and now sled frames are made of lighter metals like aluminum. Later versions also provided for the option to adjust the distance between the blades, allowing players to bring them closer together as they became more skilled. The ability to adjust sleds is important for programs that want to have children try the sport for the first time. It also means players of different sizes can participate without program organizers having to buy multiple sleds that they may not have the budget or room for.
Sled hockey players are also required to wear the same protective gear as stand-up hockey players such as a helmet with a face mask, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards and hockey gloves. Goalies wear the same type of helmet and gloves that fans would see in an Olympic hockey game.
There are few suppliers that make custom sleds and sticks for sled hockey, but athletes can purchase standard equipment like helmets and gloves from any hockey equipment supplier.
For a list of sled hockey-specific suppliers, visit https://moveunitedsport.org/sports/adaptive-equipment/ice-sports-equipment/
Rules
Many rules for sled hockey are similar to those of its Olympic counterpart. The one major addition is that players are allowed to check an opponent but are prohibited from “T-boning” another athlete, or hitting them on their side with the front part of the sled. Doing this can cause significant injury and result in a penalty being called.
Unlike other Paralympic sports, there is no classification system for sled hockey athletes, but it is required that all athletes fit the minimum criteria of having a disability affecting their lower body.
Science of Movement
According to the International Paralympic Committee, players can reach speeds of around 18 miles per hour on the ice, and top players can hit the puck at a whopping 60 miles per hour. Through biomechanical research, it was discovered that even when exerting little to no effort, the force of a single stick hitting the ice to propel an athlete produces an impact force of two times the athlete’s body weight.
To learn more about Learn to Skate USA’s adaptive skating opportunities, click here.
Learn more about sled hockey and how to get involved here.
