Sled Hockey Tournament invites players with disabilities to compete in the Capital Region
LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) - STRIDE, the adaptive sports organization, is hosting the 3rd annual Dralla Foundation Sled Hockey Invitational for individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. The tournament involves four sled hockey teams from around the state that will compete in a tournament for the first place spot on October 25 through October 27 at the Albany County Hockey Facility.
The teams involved in the games are The Buffalo Sabres Sled Vets, The Capital District Sled Warriors, The Central New York Flyers, and The Mountain Warriors Sled Team. Alex Brame, the Executive Director of STRIDE, said the teams in the tournament are made up of players with all different ages and abilities.
"This is an adaptive sport, so it's made for people and wheelchairs, it's made for people that got disabilities, but lots of people on the team can walk so they, anyone can play," Brame said.
The sport is one that Brame said can be adaptive and inclusive for those that have a range of disabilities. The sport includes a sled and two hockey sticks with spikes at the bottom, equipment that Brame said helps the players gain momentum to easily glide across the ice.
"So you have two sticks one in each hand, they are both a hockey stick to hit the puck and they're also a pusher," Brame said. "So you gain momentum by using the stick on the ground and then you turn it and flick the puck."
Matches will be played throughout the evening on Friday and Saturday and in the morning on Sunday.
Friday, October 25: CNY (The Central New York Flyers) vs CDSW (Capital District Sled Warriors) 5:30-6:55 p.m. MTN (The Mountain Warriors Sled Team) vs BUFFALO (The Buffalo Sabres Sled Vets) 7:05-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 26
CDSW (Capital District Sled Warriors) vs BUFFALO (The Buffalo Sabres Sled Vets) 4:30-6:00 p.m.
CNY (The Central New York Flyers) vs MTN (The Mountain Warriors Sled Team) 6:15-7:45 p.m.
Sunday, October 27
CDSW (Capital District Sled Warriors) vs MTN (The Mountain Warriors Sled Team) 8:15-9:40 a.m.
CNY (The Central New York Flyers) vs BUFFALO (The Buffalo Sabres Sled Vets) 9:50-11:15 a.m.
Also taking place on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m., is a chance to learn how to play sled hockey.
"11:30 Sunday morning, we want people to try sled hockey, we always want players," Brame said. "We always are looking for new players any age, any gender, everything."
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