Players

Sledge hockey was invented at a rehabilitation centre in Stockholm, Sweden in the early 1960’s, by a group of people who wanted to continue playing hockey despite their physical disabilities. They modified a metal frame sled (sledge) with two regular-sized hockey skate blades that allowed the puck to pass underneath. Using round poles with bike handles for sticks, the men played without any goaltenders.  

The sport caught on — by 1969, Stockholm had a five-team league that included athletes with a disability as well as able-bodied athletes.

At the recreational level, anyone can play sledge hockey, disabled and able-bodied. At the international level, however, only athletes with a disability in the lower part of their body can be classified by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to participate.

Sledge hockey follows the rules of the IPC, which are very similar to those of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a few sport-specific modifications. The ice surface and markings, nets and pucks are all the same as able-bodied hockey. Each team consists of six players on the ice, including a goalie. Among the sledge hockey rule modifications are the following:

• There is an additional infraction called teeing, assessed when a player charges and contacts an opponent using any part of the front radius of his or her sled.

• Players sit in specially designed sleds (sledges) instead of using skates.

• Players carry two sticks instead of one. These sticks are approximately the length of a regular hockey stick and have a different lie. In addition, the sticks have metal picks on the butt end which are used to propel the players on the ice.

• Player benches and penalty boxes are modified so that there is a low entrance to the bench as well as clear plexiglass so that players can see the play while they are not on the ice. If the arena has not been modified in this manner, players sit on the ice between the blue line and the red line while not in the play.

Consult www.hockeycanada.ca/sledgehockey for further information.

For a full list of equipment associated with Sledge Hockey, click on the link below;

Working with the the Saskatchewan Wheelchairs Sports Association, we are excited to offer the chance for groups to try the sport of sledge hockey by registering for one of our 'Try Sledge Day' events. To submit a request to host a "Try Sledge Day" event, click 

For more information on hosting a Try Sledge Event, please contact:
Matt Miller
Senior Coordinator, Hockey Development
Grassroots
Saskatchewan Hockey Association
Tel (306) 789-5101
mattm@sha.sk.ca