New Sport Comes to Town

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Created on Monday, 16 February 2015 17:02

Written by Ryan Jenot

LYNDONVILLE -A game created in the 1960's found it's way to Lyndonville this past weekend. Sled Hockey, which was born in Sweden at a rehabilitation center, provides those who are physically injured an opportunity to continue to play hockey.

Sled hockey, which has similar rules to professional hockey, is played on sleds that have blades connected to them underneath. Players are also given two sticks, and those have metal picks on the ends so they can move themselves on the ice.

"Sled Hockey is so fast and athletic," said event coordinator Jill Broderick. "[It] requires a lot of strength and skill."

The event consisted of the Maine Veteran Sled Hockey team and a group of players from the Northeast Kingdom, including 19-year-old Jake Lavigne. Lavigne, who use to play soccer, was injured when he was just 12 in a mountain biking accident and since then, he's picked up sled hockey.

"I tried it and actually quit the first year," said Lavigne, who's been playing for the past five years. "They kept asking me and asking me, so I gave it another shot and after that, I fell in love and haven't missed a practice since." Lavigne, who plays regularly at the Cairns Arena in South Burlington, allows him to remain competitive.

"It [Sled Hockey] showed me [that] after I got hurt, that even though I have a disability I could still be a competitive athlete and part of a team," said Lavigne.

As Sled Hockey becomes more popular in this area, the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association are looking for more participates, as there is currently three teams in the state.