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“While I was at the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio, Texas, wounded warriors with Operation Comfort came to visit and handed out flyers about trying out for sled hockey. I did not know if I would be able to compete against other amputees in that arena.
“After talking with my physical therapist and a few other people, I went to try out sled hockey. From the moment I sat down in that sled and fell over a few times, I got going and thought it was incredible.”
Sled hockey is a Paralympic sport, which for some wounded warriors, helps with the healing process and encourages them to compete in sports after injuries.
Sled hockey was invented in the 1960s in Stockholm, Sweden at a rehabilitation center. It is a sport that is played very similarly to regular hockey, but with two sticks instead of one that have small ice pics on the end to help move across the ice.
Another wounded warrior, Chase, was introduced to sled hockey by Brant.
“I grew up in California and there was not a lot of hockey in my area,” said Chase. “I am familiar with hockey and I am a sports fan, but I never really played.”
Chase went to try out sled hockey and fell in love with the sport.
“We have been practicing for about six months now every Wednesday and Friday,” said Chase. “It’s fun and it’s a great workout.”
Sled hockey provides players with all types of disabilities the opportunity to compete, be part of a team and get out and enjoy sports.
“Even before the amputation of my leg, it was hard to find a full contact sport to play,” said Brant. “However, with sled hockey, contact isn’t only expected, but it is encouraged within the rules of the game.”
Brant said hockey allows him to take out some frustration in a healthy way and be able to compete while getting a great physical workout.
“It’s a substantial workout and the mental aspect that goes along with it is excellent,” said Chase. “I feel like I have done something after practice,” he added.
“I was in a dark place mentally after my injuries and being able to be a part of a team environment again helped with my recovery,” said Chase.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Rob Pickel is another wounded warrior who found sled hockey to be beneficial to his recovery.
Pickel said sled hockey has been therapeutic to his recovery process and has improved his quality of life.
“I’ve been trying to find a sport that I could get into ever since I had to amputate my legs,” said Pickel. “I tried some other sports like archery, sitting volleyball and hand cycling and I enjoyed them all, but nothing compares to sled hockey. It is by far the best sport I tried.”
Currently there is no program or team for sled hockey at Fort Bragg. However, Brant and a few other wounded warriors are trying to put together a team and program.
“We are inviting everyone out, not just disabled people but completely able body people too,” said Brant. “We want to fill all the sleds that are available to get a full game going so people can come out to try something new.”
The ultimate goal is to get a program started beginning with 3rd Group wounded warriors and branching out across all of Fort Bragg and out into the surrounding community,” he said.
“We are taking anyone who wants to come out and play the sport,” said Pickel. “We can have up to three able body players on the ice at a time according to the rules. Right now we are just trying to spread the word and grow the sport,” he added.
“I think we are looking for support as well from anyone who wants to help out and we have a good start,” said Brant.
“The Cleland Ice Rink on Fort Bragg has been gracious enough to let us practice a few times during the week and use their equipment and we appreciate their support.
“Funding is a big issue right now for us. We are trying to keep up on gear and eventually get our own,” said Brant. “I think ideally we would like to find an organization like Operation Comfort to help with funding so we can bring this sport to people who are in the same situation we were.”
With the support of the Cleland Ice Rink and Thor3, a physical fitness and rehabilitation center for 3rd Group, wounded warriors like Brant, Chase and Pickel have been able to get back into sports and competitive athletics.
“As funny as it sounds, this sport has completely turned my life around. I know what it has done for me and I see the potential it has for others who may be where I was. I hope that we can get some more people out to play and spread the word that there is hope and a future after something like having a limb amputated,” said Brant.
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2016 09:19 |
| Story ID: | 211922 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldiers continue to heal with sled hockey, by SSG Benjamin Northcutt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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