Sledge Hockey Exhibition Series
HOCKtoberfest is proud to be hosting a women's sledge hockey exhibition series between Canada's Women's team and their American rivals, the U.S. Women’s Team. Showcasing Windsor's newest state of the art accessible facilities and female hockey's newest sport, a three game series is scheduled for the HOCKtoberfest Female Hockey Festival.
HISTORY OF SLEDGE HOCKEY
Sledge Hockey dates back to 1966/67 when a club-team from Sweden, tested out Sledge Hockey with a smaller size of goal, and without any goaltenders. In 1982, Canada started with Sledge Hockey and very soon had many club teams. In 1990, the 1st International Rules for Sledge Hockey were drafted from Canadian Rules. Sledge Hockey has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1994 and is one of the fast growing winter sports. The 1st sanctioned World Championships in Ice Sledge Hockey was hosted in Sweden with six (6) teams participating.
WOMENS SLEDGE HOCKEY
In Canada a Women’s Sledge Hockey Team was developed in 2007 with hopes to eventually develop Women’s Sledge Hockey to an International level. Presently sledge hockey is deemed a men’s only paralympic sport by the International Parlaympic Committee. The United States has also started a women’s team. The hope is that other countries will soon follow. The goal is, with continued interest and development, the International Paralympic Committee will consider allowing Women’s Sledge as a demo sport and ultimately a fully sanctioned Paralympic sport.
FACTS
~ Sledge means sled in Norwegian.
~ Sledge hockey is an innovative team sport that incorporates the same rules and
discipline structure as regular ice hockey.
~ Sledge hockey players sit on specially designed sledges with skate blades
under the seat.
~ Two sticks are used not only to pass, stick handle, shoot the puck, but also
to propel and maneuver the sledges.
~ The first all female demo sledge hockey game occurred at the Ottawa Sledge
Hockey Tournament on May 5, 2007 between Canada and USA ...
HOCKtoberfest 2008 Sledge Hockey Schedule
click here
