Sledge hockey has become increasingly popular in Canada. The sport provides a great oppourtunity to those that have a disability and still want to be involved in the game of hockey, all while making for a fantastic form of physical activity for those that are as fortunate to be able to do such a simple task as running or skating.
Earlier this summer, Connor McDavid teamed up with Canadian Tire’s jumpstart program and tried his hand at the sport.
While Connor makes it look easy, the sport definitely takes some getting used to. Balancing on a narrow platform with skates attached while using specifically designed sticks with picks that help propel the participants is a challenge in itself. Obviously the more time and practice one has while harnessed in, the better they will become.
One player that is extremely talented at the sport is Adam Dixon, who lead Team Canada at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in scoring as a defenceman. Dixon and Canada claimed a bronze medal at the Paralympics in Sochi, and he’s preparing for the upcoming games in Pyeongchang. Dixon loves to jump into the rush whenever he has the chance, and that's evidenced below in this fantastic goal he scored against Korea in a recent internationl pre-Olympic tune-up game
Check out that behind the back move and roof job upstairs!
Dixon was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that forced him to have his right tibia removed. He started playing sledge hockey at age 11, and is seeking his first Olympic gold medal.
(h/t Pavel Barber)
