KEEP IT ON ICE

Indy Sled Hockey Has Found Rapid Success

Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

terms of rules, but differs in the equipment used. Players sit on a metal frame called a sled. Players have two smaller hockey sticks they hold while moving around the ice.

“One thing that makes sled hockey unique is the players use two sticks instead of one,” Weber says. “One end of the stick has metal pricks on it, and they use that to propel themselves around the ice. Then they can flip the stick over to the other end for moving the puck.”

Weber says he is tremendously excited that the competitive team won the Division 1 youth national championship in just four short years. He says what makes it even more remarkable is that they beat out close to 100 other teams.

“The cool thing about sled hockey is these kids want to compete at a high level like their able-bodied counterparts,” Weber says. “The only adaptation is the equipment and how they utilize it.”

Weber says anyone can come out and try sled hockey for free. There are two levels for both adults and kids - recreational and competitive. He has some participants who enjoy the recreational aspect, and some who eventually want to go on and play for Team USA Paralympic ice hockey. Carmine Brown has played for four seasons and is someone Weber describes as highly driven.

“My mom received their newsletter detailing a hockey event, and she basically made me go,” Brown says. “It was a good thing she did because I loved it and am good at it. I love the physicality of the game and working with my team. I like traveling to the different tournaments and trying to better myself, especially when I see others I can learn from.”

For more information, visit indysledhockey.org.