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Team Profile: New England Warriors

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The New England Warriors are a non-profit sled hockey organization dedicated to introducing and promoting sled hockey for wounded, ill, and injured veterans, as well as supporters and individuals with physical disabilities. Based in Lewiston, Maine, the team is affiliated with the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program and competes in the Northeast Sled Hockey League (NESHL).

Mission and Purpose

The New England Warriors focus on three core pillars:

  • Rehabilitation: Using the sport of sled hockey as a vehicle for physical and mental recovery

  • Camaraderie: Building lasting bonds among veterans and team members

  • Opportunity: Providing disabled veterans with competitive athletic opportunities through adaptive sports

The team is committed to showing that disability does not define ability, and that through teamwork and determination, individuals can achieve great things on the ice.

Who Are the Warriors?

The New England Warriors are led by a group of dedicated veterans and supporters who have turned their passion for hockey into a mission to help others:

Leadership Team:

  • Christy "Icebox" Gardner - President/Co-Founder/Captain: A medically retired Army veteran, Christy also serves as captain of the US Women's National sled hockey team

  • Ian "Battleship" Ramsdell - Vice President/Co-Founder/Captain: A retired US Navy veteran

Notable Team Members:

  • John "The Chirper" Curtis - Forward

  • Mahlia "Mini Mao" Schneck - Forward/Volunteer, double amputee

  • Gordie "The Grinder" Ide - Volunteer/Defenseman, injured in stand-up hockey

  • Kevin "Brady Bunch" Marcotte - Forward; served in the Army and Maine National Guard

  • Ken "The Quiet One" Senko - Forward

  • Will "The Show Pony" Rolfe - Forward; Air Force veteran with MS

  • Matt "Beefcake #1" Cain - Alternate Captain/Defenseman; Army Airborne infantry veteran

The team's roster is open to veterans and non-veterans alike who have physical disabilities that prevent them from playing traditional stand-up hockey.

Equipment and Gameplay

Players use similar equipment to stand-up hockey with some key modifications:

  • Sleds: Aluminum frame with a bucket seat mounted on ice skating blades

  • Sticks: Two shortened hockey sticks with picks on the end for propulsion and a blade for shooting and passing

  • Protective gear: Standard hockey protective equipment adapted for seated play

The sport maintains all the excitement of traditional hockey—hard checking, precise passing, and powerful shots—just from a seated position.

League Competition and Achievements

The New England Warriors compete in the Northeast Sled Hockey League (NESHL), an adult sled hockey league spanning multiple states in the northeastern United States. The team has achieved notable success, including:

  • NESHL B League Championship winners

  • Regular competitors in regional and national tournaments

The NESHL promotes awareness and growth of sled hockey among people with disabilities throughout New England and beyond.

Veteran Outreach and Programs

Beyond competitive play, the New England Warriors are committed to supporting veterans in need through:

  • Regular practices and team activities

  • Social support and community building

  • Fundraising events to support veterans' programs

  • Advocacy for adaptive sports and disabled veteran services

The team regularly announces practices, games, and events on their Facebook page, welcoming new participants to join the Warriors family.

Get Involved

The New England Warriors welcome new players, volunteers, and supporters:

The team is open to veterans and non-veterans with physical disabilities who are interested in trying sled hockey. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced players.

The New England Warriors exemplify the transformative power of adaptive sports, providing wounded warriors and individuals with disabilities a path to competition, camaraderie, and community through the sport of hockey.