A Western Washington hockey team is gearing up for a national competition and most of the players have disabilities that would keep the average person sidelined. Members of the Sno-King Thunderbirds Sled Hockey team met with KIRO 7 Thursday to talk about the sport and the upcoming competition.
“One of the things I like about sled hockey is it's a great equalizer,” said Brian Baker, who proudly stated he’s the oldest person on the team. “If a 57-year-old can do it, anybody can.”
Baker has a degenerative ligament issue that limits his mobility. The sled hockey team is made up of people from across Western Washington who have various disabilities.
“I was a very fit half-marathon runner and in 2012, I got sick,” said Leah Cupps, who now uses a wheelchair to get around. “The hardest part, actually, is learning how to balance in the sled. And once you get it, it's like riding a bicycle; you get it. But those first couple of practices, you're on your side quite a bit.”
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The rules of sled hockey are very similar to regular hockey. But each player sits in a sled and has two sticks that have blades on the bottom end to propel them on the ice. And just like regular hockey, it is full contact.
“I'm not great at hitting so I get hit a lot more,” said Bruce Dawson, one of the team’s two able-bodied players.
Each team can have three players without disabilities, but the players all say the sleds equalize any advantage.
“Once you're in the sled and on the ice, you're not necessarily better than the other guy,” Baker said.
Erica Nash has cerebral palsy, and when she joined the team, she found out they needed a goalie.
“And I said, 'My son plays stand up goalie and I've been watching the game from the goalie perspective for six years,' Nash said. “'So,sure I'll be a goalie.'"
The game is physical and beats the players up pretty good. But pushing themselves on the ice with their teammates is a good pain.
“It's the camaraderie, the team spirit,” Cupps said. “I'm a former Marine.”
“The whole camaraderie and companionship that goes along with being part of a team,” Baker said. “And being active, I hadn't been active in several years.”
They'll be active in Tampa April 4-8, competing against sled hockey teams from across the country.
“My expectation is we're going to get better every game,” Nash said. “And hopefully, that'll buy us into the final rounds.”
For more information about the Sno-King Thunderbirds go to http://www.seattleadaptivesports.org/