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Minnesota Sled Hockey Expands to Rochester Area

By Minnesota Hockey, 12/19/14, 1:00PM CST

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Minnesota Wild Sled Team Set to Host Exhibition and Open House in Rochester

St. Paul, MN – December 19, 2014 – The Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey team is set to host the Rochester Raiders floor hockey team in an exhibition sled hockey game at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14th.  Following the game, the public is invited to join the sled hockey team on the ice for the opportunity to try sled hockey.

The exhibition game, which will be held at the Rochester Recreation Center, shall act as the kick off of the Minnesota Sled Hockey Association’s (MSHA) expansion to the Rochester area. Sled hockey, or sledge hockey as it is known outside the United States, is a sport that has been experiencing rapid growth across the country. There are now 75 athletes participating in sled hockey throughout Minnesota, including players from Moorhead, Alexandria, Duluth and the metro area.

“Sled hockey is a fast-paced and challenging sport where players propel themselves [across the ice] on a sled,” said Dr. Michael Stuart, Co-Director of the Sports Medicine Center and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic and USA Hockey’s Chief Medical Officer. “We are very excited to bring the sport of sled hockey to southern Minnesota.”

With the support of Dr. Stuart and the hockey community in Rochester, MSHA will be hosting a series of open skate sessions, in which members of the greater Rochester area are encouraged to come and try sled hockey.  The first opportunity will be following the exhibition game on January 14th with additional sessions being held on weekday evenings in February and March.

“For many individuals who have experienced a physical disability in their lives, the idea of hockey has often been an unattainable dream,” said Toni Gillen, Director of Disabled Hockey for Minnesota Hockey. “Here in Minnesota, we believe that hockey is for everybody, and through the support of Minnesota Hockey and the Rochester hockey community, we hope to offer that opportunity to every aspiring hockey player!”

Individuals interested in getting involved or participating in these events should contact Toni Gillen.

Sled Hockey provides individuals with physical disabilities the chance to participate in hockey. The game follows most of the typical ice hockey rules with the exception of some unique equipment. Players sit in specially designed sleds equipped with two hockey skate blades. Each player uses two sticks instead of one, and the sticks have metal pics on the butt end for players to propel themselves.

Minnesota Sled Hockey Association provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in hockey and promotes the development of excellence in hockey in Minnesota. MSHA is open to players ages five and above with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.

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