(submitted photo/Lisa Brady)

By Cam Lee

Sledge hockey in Melfort

‘Canada’s national sport, just from a different view’: Melfort welcomes sledge hockey

Feb 28, 2020 | 10:20 AM

The young – and not so young – were able to experience an introduction to sledge hockey in Melfort Thursday, Feb. 27.

The Saskatchewan Hockey Association and the Melfort sledge hockey group hosted the event at the Northern Lights Palace.

(Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

The group members are considering whether to start up a sledge hockey team in the city.

“We’re just trying to introduce the sport to let people know sledge hockey is for anybody. You do not have to have a disability to play; anyone can play it,” Mia Fairley of the Cut Knife Sledge Hockey Club told northeastNOW.

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She said they have players as young as five, and people 65 and over still playing. Fairley said families can also play together.

“Sometimes it’s a cheaper option to stand-up hockey,” Fairley said. “If they didn’t get started in the sport young enough it doesn’t matter.”

Many of the provinces across Western Canada have been building their sledge programs for years, according to Fairley. Saskatchewan is catching up, with teams in Saskatoon, Regina, Swift Current, Melville, Kindersley, Cut Knife, and Bruno.

A ‘have-a-go day’ introduction to the sport is also being held March 14, so there is another opportunity to give it a try.

You can register by contacting Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports. Fairley said registration is free, but organizers would like to know how many participants they will have.

“There will be an opportunity for them to try a sledge, and we’re trying to gain some interest,” Fairley said.

She said several people at yesterday’s event expressed interest in going to next month’s introduction as well.

There was a lot of laughter and smiles both on the ice and in the stands at the Palace yesterday, and Fairley said that’s not a surprise.

“Smiles for everybody, not only just the younger players but some of the parents are trying it too, and it’s pretty exciting to have a sport the whole family can play together,” Fairley said.

Sledge hockey features all of the same rules as hockey, and most of the same equipment.

“It is Canada’s national sport, just from a different view,” Fairley said.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974