Team Profile: Vermont Sled Cats
The Vermont Sled Cats are the sled hockey program of the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association (NDAA). Vermont Amateur Hockey Association lists the team among the state's sled programs. The Sled Cats have used Cairns Arena in South Burlington as home ice since the program started in 2005.
Who are the Sled Cats?
NDAA says the team was founded in April 2005. VSAHA describes the same start: a four-person group that grew into a program of about 25 players by the 2015-16 season. NDAA later wrote that at its peak the roster spanned ages 5 to 65.
The program is for people with physical disabilities who want to play and compete in sled hockey. NDAA describes the game as 5-on-5 hockey in sleds raised just off the ice. Players use two sticks, each with a blade on one end and a pick on the other. Athletes with significant mobility or dexterity limits can play with a pusher, who moves the sled while the player works the puck.
The Sled Cats were regular competitors in the Northeast Sled Hockey League. NDAA states they withdrew from NESHL for the 2018-2019 season and chose an independent schedule instead.
Practice and location
NDAA lists weekly practices at Cairns Arena in South Burlington, Vermont. NDAA's mailing address is:
How to get involved
Contact NDAA for current ice times and how to join. The organization lists phone (802) 862-6322 and email ewright@disabledathletics.org. The program page is disabledathletics.org/sledcats. VSAHA also lists Patrick Standen (NDAA president/co-founder and Sled Cat manager) and Eric Gissendanner (player and VSAHA liaison) as contacts on vermonthockey.org/sledteams.
Vermont's other listed sled programs are the Central Vermont Pioneers, the North Country Sled Dogs, and Ice Vets Adaptive Sports.