Team Profile: Northeast Passage Sled Hockey
Northeast Passage, based at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, is a pioneering organization in adaptive sports and recreation, with their sled hockey programs standing as a flagship offering. For many in New Hampshire and throughout the northeast, the arrival of fall means the start of hockey season—and for those with mobility impairments, it still means hockey, just sled hockey!
What is Sled Hockey?
Sled hockey is an ice sport that allows individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy and participate in the popular winter sport. The concepts and rules are the same as "stand-up" hockey, but instead of skating on their feet, participants sit on an adaptive device known as a sled. To propel themselves, players use two shortened hockey sticks with a blade on one end and metal picks for propulsion on the other end.
Hard checking, pin-point passing, and 60-mile-per-hour slap shots are as much a part of sled hockey as they are in "stand-up" hockey. From beginners to the most aggressive competitors, Northeast Passage welcomes all participants to try the sport or be a part of their teams.
Programs Offered
Adult Team: Northeast Passage/UNH Sled Hockey
The Northeast Passage/UNH Sled Hockey Team practices weekly and competes in the Northeast Sled Hockey League with teams from New England and beyond. The team also competes in national tournaments and participates in exhibition games and special events.
What makes this program unique is the partnership between Northeast Passage, UNH Athletics, and U.S. Paralympics. This collaboration creates a distinctive model for sled hockey development, providing some players the unique opportunity to be a college student and a sled hockey player at the same time, without compromise. These student-athletes have access to the same facilities and coaching as their able-bodied counterparts, and they can work with and mentor the next generation of sled hockey players.
Youth Sled Hockey Program
Northeast Passage offers a Youth Sled Hockey program for youth ages 5-18 interested in developing skills to advance within the sport. The team practices weekly during the winter season and participates in regional tournaments and scrimmages. This program focuses on youth with physical disabilities who are seeking a competitive outlet and team environment.
Slip Into A Sled
One of Northeast Passage's innovative outreach programs is "Slip Into A Sled," a team-building program that gives hockey players of all ages and abilities the exclusive opportunity to try sled hockey firsthand. Its intent is to increase knowledge of the Paralympic sport within the New England hockey community while simultaneously reinforcing the notion that hockey is for everyone.
Participants get the opportunity to slip into sleds alongside members of Northeast Passage's nationally ranked sled hockey teams and not only learn how to play the sport directly from them, but also how the sport has impacted their lives. Slip Into A Sled serves as a humbling and eye-opening experience for participants in addition to giving them a chance to try something fun, new, and exciting.
Host teams or organizations are responsible for obtaining 90 minutes of ice time for Slip Into A Sled, in addition to paying a $500 contracted service fee for equipment and staffing. Northeast Passage will come to your rink with 25 sleds and 25 pairs of sled hockey sticks to create an unforgettable experience for all!
Partnerships and Support
Northeast Passage's sled hockey programs are made possible through generous partnerships and support:
Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul's School provide crucial ice time support
Homer Family Foundation and Grimshaw–Gudewicz Charitable Foundation provide additional support
USA Hockey affiliation ensures quality programming and competitive opportunities
Move United member organization
The program is also recognized as a Certified Veteran Ready Organization, demonstrating their commitment to serving veterans with disabilities.
Contact Information
Northeast Passage is located at:
For more information about the sled hockey programs, athlete development opportunities, or the Slip Into A Sled program, visit their website at nepassage.org/sled-hockey or check out their event calendar.
Northeast Passage's sled hockey programs exemplify the organization's mission to provide innovative recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through their competitive teams, youth development programs, and community outreach initiatives like Slip Into A Sled, they continue to prove that hockey truly is for everyone.