Sled Hockey
Sled hockey follows most of the rules practiced in able-bodied hockey with the exception that players sit on a sled that rests on two hockey blades. Sled Hockey is open to athletes with physical impairments.
The four following impairment groups are eligible for Sled Hockey; only athletes with lower body impairments within these groups are eligible.
Coordination Impairments
Athletes with a Coordination Impairment have one or more of the following three movement disorders that adversely affects the ability to voluntarily produce a full range of skilled movement fluidly, rapidly, and accurately:
- Hypertonia/Spasticity: an increase in muscle tension that may be velocity-dependent and/or a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch.
- Motor Ataxia: limited precision in direction and velocity of voluntary movement.
- Dyskinesia (Athetosis, Dystonia, Chorea): involuntary movements that interfere with voluntary movements.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions that can lead to coordination impairments include Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Impaired Muscle Power
Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a reduced (or no) ability to contract their muscles to generate force that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system or the muscles.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired muscle power include: spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, and spina bifida.
Impaired Passive Range of Motion
Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a reduced ability for a joint to be passively moved that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting a structure of bones, joints, connective tissue, or soft tissues.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired passive range of motion include: arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
Limb Deficiency and/or Limb Length Difference
Athletes with Limb Deficiency or Limb Length Difference have a total or partial absence of a limb or anatomically irregular limb dimensions that are consistent with an Underlying Health Condition resulting from trauma (traumatic amputation), illness (example: amputation due to bone cancer), or congenital causes affecting the bones and/or joints (example: dysmelia).
This impairment group can be further divided into the following sub-categories:
- Limb deficiency
- Leg length difference
Entering the Pathway
Contact Page, opens in a new tabAthletes interested in sled hockey can start by contacting the Sled Hockey Representative through the USA Hockey contact page.
A staff member from USA Hockey will reach out with information on connecting with a club in your area.
Equipment
Athletes will need the following equipment at minimum to begin training and competing in sled hockey:
- Sled
- Sled hockey sticks
- Skate boots
- Protective equipment such as a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and shin guards
USA Hockey does not currently offer national classification. See below for more information on international classification and the one sport class in sled hockey.
International Classification
World Para Ice Hockey Classification, opens in a new tabWorld Para Hockey is the International Federation for the sport of sled hockey and is responsible for facilitating international classification for sled hockey.
Classing In
In Paralympic sled hockey there is only one sport class. Athletes must have an eligible lower body impairment that meets the minimum impairment criteria in order to class in.
Eligible impairments that meet the minimum impairment criteria include but are not limited to: single amputation through the ankle, ankylosis in one ankle, and a leg length difference of at least 7 cm.
Paralympic Differences
Paralympic sled hockey utilizes the following modifications compared to able-bodied ice hockey:
- Athletes compete on a double-bladed "sledge"
- Athletes use two sticks that have a spike-end for pushing and movement, and a blade-end for shooting the puck
- Athletes are required to wear helmets with full-cage masks
Regional Development Camps
Sled Hockey Regional Development Camps, opens in a new tabAthletes with at least 1 year of sled hockey experience can sign up for a regional player development camp to work with current Paralympic players and coaches. Sign up for a camp near you to continue progressing through the pathway!
USA Hockey Membership
USA Hockey Membership, opens in a new tabInterested athletes can join USA Hockey through their website.