Sledge Hockey

Sledge hockey is an adapted form of ice hockey, and, with a few modifications, follows the major rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Like hockey, it is played on an ice rink, with two nets, defended by a goaltender, at each end. Each team tries to score a goal by moving the puck into the opponents' net, and the winning team is the one that scores the most goals in the allotted time of the game. Sledge hockey is adapted for people with lower-body physical disabilities: athletes are strapped into a double-bladed sledge and use two sticks to propel themselves across the ice surface. These sticks are about 1/3 of the length of a regulation standing hockey stick and have picks on the end to aid in propulsion, with a standard blade at the other end for shooting. Teams are allowed six players (one goaltender and five other players) on the ice at one time. Games consist of three 15-minute periods. In rinks that are not designed to allow for accessibility to players’ and penalty benches, players will sit on the ice along the boards in front of the respective bench.

Sledge hockey was created in Sweden in 1961, and grew in popularity in Europe in the subsequent decades. It spread to Canada in 1982 and the USA in 1990. Sledge Hockey of Canada (SHOC) was formed in 1993 and came under the umbrella of Hockey Canada in 2004. Since 1994, sledge hockey has been a part of the Paralympic program.

An indoor sport, sledge hockey takes place year round.

To be eligible to play in international competitions, athletes must have a permanent disability that impairs the function of their lower body such that they cannot participate in standing hockey. However, recreational sledge hockey can be played by able-bodied individuals using a sledge.