Sled hockey players from across the area will gather at the Amelia Park Ice Arena April 27-29 for the New England Sled Hockey Invitational. The event is free and open to the public. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
Sled hockey returns to Amelia Park
New England sled hockey invitational arrives end of April
By PETER FRANCIS
Inter
WESTFIELD – This winter, area ice hockey aficionados have been treated to a great bouquet of high school action on the ice at Westfield’s Amelia Park Arena. But even when the tournaments end for our local teams, the action will not stop
For a 10th time, the storied home of Westfield and St. Mary’s high school hockey will host one of its most exciting events of the year the New England Sled Hockey invitational, which will drop into the Whip City on April 27-29.
For those of you at home who are unaware of what exactly sled hockey is, it is a unique sport played by unique athletes. Invented in Sweden in the 1960’s, “sledge hockey,” as it is known internationally, was created to give athletes with disabilities and handicaps the opportunity to enjoy ice hockey. Players are strapped onto platforms resembling surfboards with two blades running underneath. The players use two small sticks with which to pass, shoot, and handle the puck.
Aside from its obvious equipment differences, sled hockey is no different than regular hockey, and has steadily grown in popularity over the years to where it is now one of the most popular sports at the Paralympic Games, an Olympic sports festival for disabled athletes. It has been confirmed that several representatives past and present for the United States national sled hockey team will be competing in this tournament, adding another level of excitement to this great event.
Two Western Massachusetts teams will be participating. The Springfield Sliders, in the junior division, and the Western Mass Knights, in the adult division. Both the Sliders and the Knights practice weekly at Amelia Park.
Currently in its 14th year of existence, the tournament will feature more than 200 players competing in adult and junior divisions all weekend. The tournament will showcase athletes from eight different states as well as competitors from Canada. The games will run from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with championship games scheduled for Sunday, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.
“This tournament is truly amazing and really represents the mission of our rink,” said Amelia Park executive director Carol Appleton said. “We are so proud to host these athletes, their families and friends once again at our facility.”
Admission to the event is free to the public, and the opportunity to meet the athletes will be available all weekend. Anyone who is interested in helping out with the event can reach Carol Appleton at 413-568-2503 or log on to ameliaparkice.org to receive additional information.
