A unique event hosted by the McMillen Ice Arena (MAC) and Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation launches a new competition to Indiana. The state's first sled hockey tournament is bringing teams from St. Louis, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids and Cleveland this weekend, February 14 ' 15.
In addition to competitions for adult and youth sled hockey teams, Fort Wayne's Police and Fire hockey teams will compete against each other ' in sleds! This charity benefit game will be held Saturday night at 6:30pm. Proceeds will go to support Sled Hockey Program.
Two local celebrities are associated with this tournament and will take an active role as the sled hockey movement takes hold in Fort Wayne. The Championship's namesake, Bob Chase will be in attendance at the police/fire charity game and will be presented with an official team jacket from the Turnstone Flyers (home team). And “Mr Hockey” Eddie Long will be seen on the sidelines as he coaches all Fort Wayne teams.
The sled hockey movement has taken off quickly in Fort Wayne. It began about one year ago, when new resident Randy Kwapis approached officials at the Ice Arena to see if they would consider bringing sled hockey to the City. Randy's son Matt is a disabled athlete and played this adaptive sport in Detroit. Kwapis provided a number of sleds that he manufactured, and play time was set aside for interested athletes.
The sport of sled hockey has been eagerly embraced by officials at the MAC, Fort Wayne Youth Hockey, Turnstone and the League for the Blind and Disabled. These organizations have been involved in building community support to make this program a success. Over the past six months, 15 sleds have been donated to the program and funders are coming forward to help continue the tournament.
For those familiar with wheelchair basketball and tennis, sled hockey is similar in that it is a great sport for youth and adults, and men and women. Sled hockey got its start in Sweden during the 1960's when two men with disabilities wanted to continue playing hockey. The equipment hasn't changed much since then ' players sit in sleds with two blades on the bottom. They propel and maneuver themselves with two short hockey sticks, curved on one end with short ice picks on the other end. For more information visit www.mcmillenicearena.org or call the Ice Arena at 427-6769.
The weekend's schedule is as follows:
|
Rink |
Date |
Time |
Division |
Home
|
Visitor |
|
BLUE |
02/14/09
Sat |
3:15:00
PM |
YOUTH |
Mid-Am
|
|
|
BLUE |
02/14/09
Sat |
4:30:00
PM |
ADULT |
|
|
|
BLUE |
02/14/09
Sat |
5:45:00
PM |
YOUTH |
|
|
|
RED |
02/14/09
Sat |
6:30:00
PM |
|
Police
Freeze |
Fire
Department |
|
BLUE |
02/14/09
Sat |
7:00:00
PM |
ADULT |
|
|
|
BLUE |
02/14/09
Sat |
8:15:00
PM |
YOUTH |
|
Mid-Am |
|
BLUE |
02/14/09
Sat |
9:30:00
PM |
ADULT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLUE |
02/15/09
Sun |
8:00:00
AM |
YOUTH |
|
Mid-Am |
|
BLUE |
02/15/09
Sun |
9:15:00
AM |
ADULT |
|
|
|
BLUE |
02/15/09
Sun |
10:30
AM |
YOUTH |
|
|
|
RED |
02/15/09
Sun |
11:15:00
AM |
ADULT |
|
|
|
BLUE |
02/15/09
Sun |
1:15:00
PM |
YOUTH |
1st
place |
|
|
RED |
02/15/09
Sun |
2:00:00
PM |
ADULT |
1st
place |
|