History in the Making: The Inspiring Rise of Para Ice Hockey

Clear your calendars and get ready to watch the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games hit the ice March 6th-15th. If there's one event you don't want to miss, it's sledge hockey. Known as sled hockey in the US, it's a physical and thrilling game played on double-blade sledges with players using two dual-sided sticks. One end of the stick has a traditional blade used for passing and shooting the puck, while the other side is spiked for players to propel themselves across the ice. There are six disciplines of Para hockey: blind hockey, deaf and hard of hearing hockey, special hockey, standing/amputee hockey, warrior hockey, and sled hockey—the only discipline played at the Paralympic level. More than just an adaptation of the sport, sled hockey is a reminder of why Para sports matter. It's a thrilling showcase of resilience, skill, sheer grit—and just as importantly, a powerful moment of representation on the world’s biggest stage, making it a must-watch event.

History of the Sport

The story begins in the 1960s at a rehabilitation center in Stockholm, Sweden, where a group of Swedes were desperate to keep playing the sport they loved. From there, sledge hockey was born. What began as a game played with makeshift gear on a frozen lake transformed into an international sport for all. By 1969, Stockholm had created a five-team league that included players with physical impairments and able-bodied participants. Later that year, the first international match was hosted between a local club and a new team from Oslo, Norway. The sport continued to gather momentum, and by 1993, teams had been created in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Estonia, and Japan. Just a year later, at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Games, Para ice hockey made its debut as an official event featuring teams from 5 countries and 57 players (56 men and 1 woman).

1994 Winter Paralympics final between Norway and Sweden. Sweden won 1-0 to earn gold. Courtesy of Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT/Getty Images

Rules of the Game

Like ice hockey, each team consists of 5 position players and 1 goalkeeper as they attempt to outscore their opponent. Unlike hockey's longer format of three 20-minute periods, Para hockey is faster with three 15-minute periods. Although both sports feature line changes on the fly, a major difference is that upright hockey shifts last between 45 and 60 seconds, while in Para hockey they stretch to 3-4 minutes. This is due to the distinct differences in the physical demands of each sport. The skating motion in traditional hockey relies on lower-body strength, while Para hockey relies heavily on upper-body strength as players use their sticks to push themselves across the ice. Alongside upper-body strength, Para hockey is heavily dependent on balance, making skating on sledges uniquely challenging. Players can improve their skating motion by adopting a more straight-armed stroke. Much like in able-bodied hockey, para athletes are required to wear protective gear such as shoulder pads, shin guards, elbow pads, and gloves. Additionally, since they play lower to the ice, they are required to wear a helmet with a full face cage or bubble.

9-year-old Adrian Diaz playing with University of Massachusetts’ NCAA Division I men’s hockey team through Team IMPACT. Courtesy of UMass Athletics. Photo obtained from the NHL.

In recent years, sled hockey has grown into one of the largest spectator sports at the Paralympic Games. The magic of the event is that it carries all the drama of a traditional hockey game while redefining what's possible on the ice. Its athletes have defied the odds to compete at the highest level—making each shift a story of determination and perseverance.

This past week, the Women's Canadian National Ice Hockey team tried their hand at sledge hockey when they joined the Men's Canadian Para team for a skate. This firsthand look highlighted the challenges of adapting to sledge hockey. Though accomplished athletes in their own sport, even players like Sarah Nurse and Marie-Philip Poulin found themselves struggling to get the hang of the game. The biggest challenge for these skaters was balance and building speed. But when it came time to shoot the puck, things didn't get much easier—leaving your favorite PWHL stars looking more like beer leaguers.

Emma Maltais of the Toronto Sceptres learning sled hockey with Dom Cozzolino, a Canadian ice sledge hockey player. Courtesy of Emma Maltais/Instagram

Inaugural Women's World Championship

Recently, the inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women's World Championship was held in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia. Taking place from August 26 to 31, the tournament featured six national teams: the United States, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, and Team World. In the gold medal match, Team USA defeated Canada 7-1. The winning group was fueled by the inspiring leadership of Monica Quimby and a stellar performance from Kelsey DiClaudio, who led the way with 4 goals, bringing her to 12 goals in the tournament.

In an interview for USA Hockey, Quimby reflected on the significance of the moment and the beauty of para hockey:

"I was paralyzed as an NCAA athlete...I never thought in a million years that I'd be able

to wear the Team USA sweater...It's literally the best feeling in the world. It hits you all at

once. We have come so far in just a couple of years. We are the first. We have officially

made history."

Looking ahead to the Olympics, Para hockey remains a combined-gender sport with no separate women's division yet. However, the hope is that by the 2030 Winter Games, women will have their own official tournament on the Paralympic stage.

Monica Quimby receiving her gold medal. Courtesy of Nicole Haase/USA Hockey

Moving into the men's Paralympic Games, the United States team has been nothing short of dominant in recent years. They have captured an unprecedented four-straight gold medals and in their seven Paralympic appearances, they have reached the podium six times with five golds (2002, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) and one bronze (2006). Much of their success has been credited to Steve "Money" Cash, a legendary former American sled hockey goalie who anchored the team for 16 seasons. At just three years old, Cash had his right leg amputated after being diagnosed with bone cancer. Once he learned to walk again, he quickly set his sights on mastering roller skating and traditional ice skating. By the age of five, he’d received the classic gift all younger brothers of hockey players know too well: being the goalie. After years of surviving shots from his three older brothers in their backyard, he continued to excel at stand-up hockey. It wasn’t until a roller hockey tournament at the age of 14 that he discovered sled hockey. Cash quickly picked up the sport and, about a year later, earned the backup goalie position for Team USA at the 2006 Torino Paralympics when he was 16. Already an inductee of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, it was announced earlier this year that the three-time gold medalist and five-time world champion will be inducted into the Class of 2025 Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame. His legacy continues to grow the game and inspire the next generation of para-hockey players as Team USA looks to build on its run of success.

Steve Cash playing goalie for the USA Para team. Courtesy of Tom Gulitti/Getty Images. Photo obtained from the NHL.

From its humble beginnings on a frozen lake in Sweden to the bright lights of the Paralympic stage, Para hockey has become more than just a game. Today, it stands as one of the most thrilling and inspiring sports—a testament to the resiliency of each athlete who takes the ice. Watching sled hockey at this year's Paralympic Games is about more than medals. It's about finally having representation on a global stage, as these athletes redefine what's possible and cement their place in history. As the game continues to grow, one thing is clear: the best is yet to come, and you'll want to be part of the action as history unfolds.

Edited by: Kelly Cassette