The following is a description of the different divisions of grassroots and recreational programming that is offered by Manitoba Possible, formerly Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, if you are unsure which division is right for you or your child, please contact Jaylene Irwin
NOVICE
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INTERMEDIATE
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ADVANCED
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This sublevel Is for athletes under the age of 16 as a "Learn to Play" level with a focus on the fundamentals of hockey, positional play, and more.
There are 5 ice times throughout the 2023-2024 season. |
This program is offered by Sledge Hockey Manitoba and is the highest level of sledge for players to access extra practice ice throughout the year; all players in this program participate in the advanced level; practice sessions are geared towards players who can compete at a high level. Coach Renald leads all practice sessions. This is an invite only program; For further information please contact Jonathan Derry (jonderry@hotmail.com)
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What is Sledge Hockey?
-- Photos courtesy of paralympic.ca
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Since its debut at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Games, the Paralympic version of ice hockey has quickly become one of the largest attractions for spectators. It is fast-paced, highly physical and played by male and female athletes with a physical impairment in the lower part of the body. The sport is governed by the IPC with co-ordination by the IPC Ice Hockey Technical Committee.
It follows the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) with modifications. Instead of skates, players use double-blade sledges that allow the puck to pass beneath. Players use two sticks, which have a spike-end for pushing and a blade-end for shooting. Competition description As in ice hockey, each team attempts to outscore its opponent by shooting the puck across the ice and into the opposing team's goal while preventing the opposing team from scoring. Six players (including the goalkeeper) from each team are on the ice at one time. Double-blade sledges that allow the puck to pass underneath replace skates, and the players use sticks with a spike-end and a blade-end. Therefore, with a quick flip of the wrist, the players are able to propel themselves using the spikes and then play the puck using the blade-end of the sticks. A player may use two sticks with blades in order to facilitate stick handling and ambidextrous shooting. Ice sledge hockey games consist of three 15-minute periods. ---- Sourced from the International Paralympic Committee |
National Programs
Currently there are three National level programs in Canada for sledge hockey. First, there is Hockey Canada's National Team, which travels to the Paralympic Games and to World Championships. Hockey Canada also has a National Development Team, which has seen three Manitoba athletes participate in that program. Lastly, there is a Women's National Team, which is working to develop the female aspect of the sport.
To learn more about these programs, please click the links below.
National Sledge Hockey Team and Development Team
National Women's Team
To learn more about these programs, please click the links below.
National Sledge Hockey Team and Development Team
National Women's Team