This summer has seen the emergence of the fully inclusive sport of Sledge Hockey as a family friendly summer alternative to ice hockey. Having generated crowds of over 200 spectators at some events Sledge Hockey has demonstrated it has all the thrills and excitement of traditional hockey but in a form that allows everybody to play and welcomes everyone to watch.
Sledge Hockey is a variant of ice hockey and can be played on and off ice, using sledges to allow participants to move about the rink at high speeds hitting a puck travelling at speeds of up to 100kph. Players sit in adapted sledges, propelling themselves with sticks adapted to allow propulsion in a manner similar to skiing. As players are strapped to a sledge everybody has the same restrictions, regardless of whether or not the player has a disability.
Hull based Kingston Kestrels ultimately won the league, demonstrating skill, vision and experience. Lead by the league’s top point’s scorer, Karl Nicholson, the Kestrels iced a fully inclusive team featuring new comers, Paralympians and a host of experienced club players.
Once the league had finished attention turned to the playoffs, a celebration of sledge hockey and the athletes and volunteers involved. Originally intended to be a fun competition between the top three teams in the country, due to transport difficulties on the day only the Kingston Kestrels and the Peterborough Phantoms were able to attend. As the Phantoms were missing key players Matthew Coleman and Darren Brown, the Kestrels generously allowed Karl Nicholson to play for the Phantoms in order to ensure a competitive event. The Phantoms emerged as winners, beating the Kestrels by nine goals to five.
John Neville, Managing Director of Planet Ice, sponsors of the Planet Ice British Sledge Hockey league said, “It has been a honour and a privilege to support Sledge Hockey this year and something I am delighted to announce will continue next year. Sledge hockey is a sport that anyone can enjoy as a fan, but more importantly, they can enjoy playing. The excitement and passion we’ve seen in the league this season rivals the excitement and passion seen at the highest levels of English ice hockey. I’m delighted that a team from Planet Ice rink won the playoffs and would like to congratulate the Kingston Kestrels on winning the 2011 Planet Ice British Sledge Hockey league”.
At the end of the playoffs the end of season trophies, sponsored by Portland Trophies, were presented to the all-star team, MVP, top point scorer and top net minder and it was announced that the 2012 Planet Ice British Sledge Hockey league will be expanding to include new teams that have started up having seen the success of the league and the playoffs including teams from Stoke Mandeville (Milton Keynes), Scotland, Manchester and Coventry.
In addition Planet Ice will be launching learn-to-play sledge hockey programmes at all of their rinks
All-star team: Rob Gaze (Phantoms), Matt Clarkson (Kestrels), Tyler Christopher (Bisons), Matt Coleman (Phantoms), Karl Nicolson (Kestrels) and Gary Farmer (Phantoms).
- Top points scorer: Karl Nicholson (Kestrels)
- Most valuable player: Gary Farmer (Phantoms)
- Top net minder: Robin Gaze (Phantoms)
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