Seventeen new and existing sled hockey players took to the ice for an introductory clinic at the Kennebec Ice Arena in Augusta, Maine on Saturday, September 24th. New players from as far away as Old Town joined several others making the trip from the Bangor area, Greater Portland, and the Augusta region. All skill levels were represented.

"I'm thrilled to have so many skaters out for our first Maine Sled Hockey Program Clinic of the year," said Portland Sled Hockey Pirates Head Coach, Craig Gray. "I saw a marked improvement in the skating skills of the players from the Bangor program and the abilities of a couple of the first timers were impressive. We have the potential to put a very competitive Portland Sled Hockey Pirates team on the ice in Prudential Northeast Sled Hockey League play this year, and I think our Bangor crew will give the new program from Burlington, Vermont a run for their money." Plans are for the two teams for a couple of games at the Rinks at Exeter, in Exeter, NH later this season.

The Maine Sled Hockey Program would like to express its deepest appreciation to the Kennebec Ice Arena which provided free ice time for the clinic. 

The Maine Sled Hockey Program provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sled hockey and promotes the development of excellence in sled hockey in Maine. The Maine Sled Hockey Program is open to players aged 15 and above with lower leg mobility-related disabilities or injuries, and their non-disabled family members and friends. The Program has branches in Augusta, Bangor and Falmouth and coordinates several outreach clinics each season. The Maine Sled Hockey Program's major sponsors include UnumProvident, the Family Ice Center, Alpha One, Time Warner Cable, and Falmouth Wal-Mart.

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Maine Sled Hockey Program
255 Pine Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
207-883-0420    207-885-5593 Fax
www.mainesledhockey.org
MaineSledHockey@maine.rr.com
Copyright © 2005, Maine Sled Hockey Program

Fast Facts: Sled hockey is one of the fastest growing disabled sports in the world with new sled hockey programs and sled hockey teams showing up everywhere. There are about 50 adult sled hockey teams and junior sled hockey teams in the USA. Sled hockey is played in several countries. Sweden claims to have originated sled hockey. The US Sled Hockey Team won the gold medal in the 2002 Paralympics. The Prudential Northeast Sled Hockey League is the first organized adult sled hockey league in the USA. Sled hockey players are extremely committed to the sport of sled hockey and regularly teach sled hockey clinics and participate in sled hockey outreach events and sled hockey exhibitions. Anyone wishing to try sled hockey should have ample opportunities to play.