The Maine Sled Hockey Program, operating under the umbrella of Alpha One, a Maine-based 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, 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. Younger players may also be allowed to play based on their size, weight, and maturity at the Coach's discretion. 

The Program has branches in Augusta, Bangor and Falmouth and coordinates several outreach clinics each season and the Team plays games with other teams from as far away as Pennsylvania. The Maine Sled Hockey Program is a founding member of the Prudential Northeast Sled Hockey League (PNESHL). Former Boston Bruin and 2002 US Paralympic Sled Hockey Team Head Coach, Rick Middleton, serves as Director of Hockey Operations for the Maine Sled Hockey Program.

The Maine Sled Hockey Pirates are a distinct Team within the Maine Sled Hockey Program and is comprised of sled hockey players age 18 and older with and without disabilities. Players from other states are also welcome to become Pirates Team Members provided they commit to play for only the Portland Sled Hockey Pirates in NESHL regulated competitions, and attend Team practices and Program events. The Maine Sled Hockey Program's Home Ice is the Family Ice Center in Falmouth, Maine. Many members of the Maine Sled Hockey Pirates also skate for the New England Bruins Sled Hockey Team. Formal Team practices are by invitation of the Maine Sled Hockey Pirates Coaching Staff only.

The Falmouth program has an informal practice on selected Sunday mornings during the hockey season and the Portland Sled Hockey Pirates conduct a formal practice on selected Tuesday evenings in conjunction with the New England Bruins. Informal practices are open to the public and new skaters are encouraged to attend. Anyone wishing to borrow a sled and take part in a practice should contact the team before the practice to arrange for the necessary equipment to be available. Please visit the Schedule section of the www.mainesledhockey.org website for more information on practice dates, times and locations.

The Bangor program has practices on Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Sawyer Arena on 13th Street in Bangor. Anyone with or without a disability who is interested in playing should contact Wes Smith at 800-300-6016 or wsmith@alphaonenow.com. 

Appointment to the Portland Sled Hockey Pirates is at the sole discretion of the Head Coach. Selections are based on availability for tournaments, injury, attendance at Maine Sled Hockey Program Events, commitment to team development goals, skill level, and performance capacity that will provide the Team the best opportunity to win in competition. Participation in the Maine Sled Hockey Program does not automatically indicate that a player will skate with the Maine Sled Hockey Pirates. All questions regarding assignments should be directed to the Head Coach. 

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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.