Ice Sledge Hockey
Ice Sledge Hockey is the Paralympic version of Ice Hockey. Since its debut on the Paralympic Programme at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Paralympics, it has quickly become one of the largest attractions for spectators at the Winter Paralympics. It is fast-paced, highly physical and played by male athletes with a physical disability in the lower part of the body. Instead of skates, players use two-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.
Responding to the request of the nations widely and regularly practising the sport of Ice Sledge Hockey, the IPC in 2009 approved an entry provision to allow qualified teams for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games to enter female athletes to their roster should they wish.
Ice Sledge Hockey is practiced by athletes around 15 countries and is governed by the IPC with co-ordination by the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Technical Committee. It follows the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) with modifications.
For more detailed information on the sport, please visit the official website at www.ipc-icesledgehockey.org.
