The Georgia Sled Hockey Foundation
The anticipation builds as you watch the zamboni make its final lap. You see excitement on the faces of your teammates. The door opens and you glide out onto a fresh sheet of ice. You've put in the work, trained hard. Now it's time to play.
Many physically and mentally disabled children and adults dream of the opportunity to participate in hockey, to experience the excitement of the game for themselves. For these individuals, sled hockey provides the opportunity to overcome their disabilities and achieve that dream. Georgia Sled Hockey Foundation believes that hockey is for everyone. Whether on skates or a sled, the thrill and intensity of hockey is the same. And so are the benefits.
What is Sled Hockey?
Sled Hockey is a sport that was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play the game of ice hockey. Sled hockey was invented at a Stockholm, Sweden rehabilitation center in the early 1960's by a group of Swedes who, despite their physical impairments, wanted to continue playing hockey.
The sport caught on and by 1969, Stockholm had a five team league that included physically impaired and able bodied players. That same year, Stockholm hosted the first international ice sledge hockey match between a local club team and one from Oslo, Norway. During the 1970's, teams from these two countries played once or twice a year. Several other countries began to establish teams including, Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S.
Sled Hockey is a sport that totally integrates players with mobility limitations, the chance to participate in standard hockey.
