Our Mission

Our goal is "to provide an environment where individuals, with and without disabilities, can develop as athletes, leaders, and community members through a competitive Sled Hockey league that emphasizes commitment, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship."

Our Objectives

• To provide a fun, competitive Sled Hockey League for individuals with mobility impairment.
• To assist in the development of players for local, regional, and national level teams.
• To increase the awareness of Sled Hockey through on-ice and off-ice presentations.
• To assist with individuals' independence and Return to Work/Life.
• To build life skills—teamwork, responsibility, commitment.
• To promote "Positive Shared Experiences" amongst family and friends.
• To provide an opportunity for corporate sponsorship through value-exchange partnerships.

Our Athletes

Our Sled Hockey athletes are both male and female, ages 15 to 60. Most of our athletes have some type of mobility impairment, and are of many ethnic backgrounds. Approximately 22% of our athletes are disabled veterans. Our athletes, families, and volunteers come from a wide geographic range, covering the states of PA, NJ, NY, CT, VT, NH, MA, ME, and MD. We are also proud to have many of our athletes play on the Men's and Women's USA Sled Hockey teams, representing our country at international events.

About Sled Hockey

Sled hockey, also known as sledge hockey, is the fast, exciting, rough-and-tumble version of ice hockey played primarily by people with lower limb mobility impairments. The game is essentially the same as “stand-up” ice hockey, the major difference being that the players use a sled with two hockey skate blades mounted under a seat. The players use two sticks, one end of each having a conventional hockey stick blade and the other end equipped with stainless steel "picks" which can be dug into the ice to allow propulsion. In competitive play, hard checking, raised-puck shooting, and penalty killing are as much a part of sled hockey as they are in “stand-up” hockey.

Featured Athletes

Rachel Grusse

2015-16 USA Women’s Sledge Hockey Team
Plays for Connecticut’s Gaylord Wolfpack

When I was just over a year old, both of my legs were amputated below the knee, because of a bacterial infection. I was susceptible to the infection because I was born without a spleen, which is important to your immune system. Because of this bacterial infection I’ve grown up without legs.

I started out on the Wolfpack’s development team but before I knew it I was playing with the travel team and going to all the NESHL competitions. I grew as a player a lot in these games. Learning not only from my own team, but the many other teams in the league that play on such a high level. It has been an amazing experience playing in the NESHL and watching myself develop as a player is something I thoroughly enjoy.

I had been playing on the Wolfpack for almost 3 years when I decided to try out for the USA Women’s Team. In August of 2015 they held tryouts, for which I trained hard along with my teammates. The NESHL was extremely helpful because I was used to high-level competition from the games in the league. I was so excited when I saw my name on the list that I had made the team! The hard work paid off. I hope to continue growing and learning from my teammates, and players I compete against both on an International level and in the NESHL. My goal is to become the best player I can be.

Taylor Chace, Paralympic Gold Medalist

2006—Bronze Medal
2010, 2014—Gold Medal
Currently Coaches and Plays for the Northeast Passage Wildcats

As a Paralympic athlete training year round, finding consistent high-level competition was difficult when away from National team training camps, but I discovered the Northeast Sled Hockey League (NESHL). The League’s competition allowed me to practice at a high level even when away from the National Team. There are very few sled hockey leagues in the US. The NESHL is one of the most, if not the most, competitive sled hockey league across the nation.

One of the greatest opportunities I had while competing in the NESHL was to show other young sled hockey players how hard work and dedication to your sport can make you a better person. It has provided me a venue to win medals for our country.

Lastly, I love representing the NESHL at the Paralympic Games. It means a lot to me to say that I improved my skills as a sled hockey player while competing in the NESHL. You can find more information about Taylor at taylorchace.com.