Sledge hockey is for everyone.
The sport began to gain popularity in 1994, when it debuted in the Paralympic Games.
It’s been in the news more recently as former Humboldt Bronco, Ryan Straschnitzski, continues his journey to make Canada’s national sledge hockey team. It’s been less than two years since the tragic accident that left him paralyzed.
"We went through something tragic and we didn't let that stop us from pursuing our goals."
ICYMI: Former @HumboldtBroncos d-man, Ryan Straschnitzki joined @RonMacLeanHTH & @TaraSlone to discuss his new journey alongside former @TeamCanada sledge hockey player, Chris Cederstrand. pic.twitter.com/KYCFsqOW8X
— Rogers Hometown Hockey (@hometownhockey_) February 25, 2019
In the London area, there are several sledge hockey clubs.
Jody Goldhawk has been a board member, and the Treasurer of the London Blizzard Sledge Hockey Club for the past four years.
She became involved in the sport when her daughter, Madeline, started playing at age eight. That’s 13-years ago.
“Sledge hockey is just like regular hockey.” she says. “It’s for people with physical disabilities, but in hopes of growing the sport they’ve opened it up to anybody. And so they’ve seen the value in saying ‘hey, Madeline wants to play, but we only have nine players’, well her sister could play, or her cousin could play.”
Sledge hockey has become a family affair for the Goldhawk family. Husband and father, Mark, coaches and Madeline’s older sister helps out as a trainer.
Madeline Goldhawk in her sled.
Image from Tamara Thornton
Madeline has loved hockey since she was young.
“Since I was probably eight, I went to my dad’s hockey game with my uncle and ever since I went into an arena, my eyes lit up.”
Madeline has ataxia, a metabolic disorder that affects her muscles and co-ordination. It doesn’t allow her to play standard hockey, but once she discovered sledge hockey it became her passion.
“I like playing sledge hockey, because it makes me feel like, kind of, free from being a disabled kid.”
It’s a sport available to all: girls, boys, men, and women. Jody explains that instead of separating sledge hockey players by age, they’re divided by skill level.
“The way that the club is designed; we have one team that is what we call our development, open, non-contact team. And then we have our other team, which is our intermediate b-team, that you would move into as you got better. The idea really is that there needs to be a home for a player like Madeline to always be able to play.”
The development team currently has players aged 5-27.
It’s a sport that exemplifies resilience, support, and passion. And whether you have a disability or not you can play.
Because as Jody says, “Everybody should get to play hockey.”
For more information about sledge hockey in the London area, listen here:
