[faithdude]

This sport rules and rocks I wish I knew of it years ago It's that awesome

Check it out for sure

Seeya on the ice,
Faithdude

[gsp23]

faithdude, on Oct 14 2006, 11:10 PM, said:

This sport rules and rocks I wish I knew of it years ago It's that awesome

Check it out for sure

Seeya on the ice,
Faithdude

I just found out about this and think it looks awsome. I am working on finding somewhere that I can get a sled now!

[girlracer]

I was at the Winter Paralympics in Torino last year watching some hockey... it looked so wicked!

I researched around but couldn't find anything... can quads/tetras do it too?
I don't see how they could flip the stick around from the nail bit to the part that you use to hit the puck...

[gsp23]

girlracer, on Mar 3 2007, 01:47 PM, said:

I was at the Winter Paralympics in Torino last year watching some hockey... it looked so wicked!

I researched around but couldn't find anything... can quads/tetras do it too?
I don't see how they could flip the stick around from the nail bit to the part that you use to hit the puck...

I have recently started playing Sled Hockey and it is awsome! As far as what level would be able to play, it depends on what functionality you have. I have a neuro condition that affects all four limbs but am able to play. Here is what I think you need ability-wise to be able to play.

1) You would need to have enough strength to push yourself up when you tip on your side (and it happens alot when trying to learn how to use a single blade for turns). If you have enough trunk control to lean your weight to one side it would help, but you can turn without leaning your weight but just using sticks. Also if you have trunk control problems they do have an option for higher backs on some sleds as well that you could look into.

2) I have some problems with grip in my left hand but when wearing Hockey gloves your hand stays wrapped around the stick so that helps alot. I was concerned about not being able to grip with that hand very well.

3) You need to have some upper body strength to push yourself. I can left my chair into my truck on my own so if you have enough upper body strength to do something like that then I think you will be ok to try playing.

Flipping the stick is more of sliding your hand up and down more so than flipping it... it takes some practice but even with my bad arm/hand I am getting the hang of it, it is more a matter of practice than anything.

If you think you would be able to do what I mentioned then go ahead and give it a try! My local Sled Hockey team lets people come and try it out to see if they like it and are able to do it or not.

[gsp23]

UPDATE on my last post.... I had hockey last night and I talked to one of the guys who is on the board and also has a son in the Beginner division. It turns out you do not need to have the ability to grip a stick. If you cant grip the stick then you put on your hockey gloves and tape your hand tight around the stick. If you have enough strength to push yourself on the ice then great, if not they have handles behind the sleds that an AB skater can use to help push you. If you need a skater, they will only push as much as you need and the AB skater is only allowed to go the same speed as the slowest Sled Hockey player on the team. This can help get you out there while you build up your muscles or just to get you out playing if you cant build up your muscles enough to do on your own.

The position of your hands to be taped will be trial and error based on what you find most comfortable for pushing yourself and hitting a puck. There are a couple kids on the beginners team who dont have enough strength to push themselves at all so they have an AB skater and because of the inability to hold a stick steady, they have a single small stick taped into their hands the same way an AB player would hold a stick.

So, I guess I was incorrect on minimum abilities and you can play with just about any ability level. Assuming you can find a local team!

[girlracer]

Update from my part now...

There is bugger-all in this country for Sled Hockey (among many other things!)!!!!
There seems to be one place 400km away in Torino where they may do something but I won't count on it... This country is way behind with everything!

Thanks anyways gsp23 for getting all this info...

[gsp23]

Thats too bad you dont have anywhere near you to play. There is only one team currently in my state and we practice and scrimmage each other. I drive approx 140km to play but its worth it. I just found out a couple of days ago that they had enought people sign up for the summer leage so I get to play this summer too which is really cool. I was actually thinking of just buying a sled and going to some open skating sessions this summer so I could get out on the ice at leats but now I dont have to worry about that and I can play hockey!

So if you are interested, I would still suggest contacting the one closest to you and seeing if they will let you practice with them once to see what it is like. If you are unsure of your abilities see if they will have an AB skater available if you cant push yourself and tell them your concerns. If they are anything like my league they will be happy to help get you onto the ice and have someone available to be out there with you if needed and reserve a good sled for you. You can even get some sleds with really wide blades if you dont have strength to push yourself up. I tried on of them once and I couldnt tip myself no matter how hard I tried. Good if you dont have stability, bad if you want to tip the slide for quick turning. Then after you practice one time, if you like it then you can always get a sled of your own and go to open skating sessions and get out skating at least. As long as you dont have a puck with you then you are allowed in open skating with your sticks because it is to propel you not to play hockey with.

Just a thought though if you wanted to try and get out on the ice.

BTW if you do want to eventually buy a sled you can get them around $500 USD and sticks are between $35 - $70 for a pair. I have tried quite a few different sleds and have pretty good idea of what the differnece are in the options available so if you do get to this point then let me know and I can help guide you with any purchases based on specific abilities.

[hockeydahc]

I started in the middle of last season playing sled hockey. I heard about it when I finally found the right person to talk to. I drive at least an hour when we play because the organization is based in St. Louis. We're so small we have to find AB friends to fill in to play a game. If we could get more players we could then start teamwork drills. We're currently trying to raise awareness of the sport, and put out fliers and talk to people. and our equipment could use some updating. Any advice for promoting?