How the Sledge Hockey Community Accommodates ABs

The demographics of sledge / sled hockey are such that it is difficult to find enough players in a geographical area to make it feasible to play a game. Not very many people have a disability that would still allow them to play sledge hockey and not all of those would choose to play or could afford to play (although most clubs do make accommodations to the financially disadvantaged). The greater Ottawa area has about 1 Million people, we have around 60 players registered and I think at least 10 are AB (Able Bodied) players.

We aren't talking Team Canada caliber players either. While sledge hockey is touted as letting the abled bodied and disabled to compete equally, at the recreational house league and tournament levels AB players often have a higher potential that many other players don't (depending on their individual challenges) . Many touraments have rules like "only 3 ABs allowed on a team with only 2 on the ice at any one time and an AB player may not play goal". In a more familiar local setting there may be unspoken rules about how much body contact is allowed on particular players and by whom. This applies to ABs and more skilled disabled players. Having only started playing AB hockey 8 years ago I know the same sort of thing goes on in a pickup game (I suck) but in sledge hockey the differences in skill are usually more pronounced. The game becomes wonderfully complex on a physical and social level!

All that being said... I've been lucky enough to play with National Team players and I'm humbled by their strength and skill. While I've body checked many of them I'm glad they have only returned the favour with much restraint :).

It's a wonderful thing to be able to participate in a sport with a loved one. Most AB players are parents, siblings or friends. I even know of at least one grandmother! Often the coaches and/or organizers are parents. If you get a chance you should give it a try! If you know someone in the sport, give it 2 or 3 trys. It takes a lot of practice!