The Flathead Valley Hockey Association (FVHA) and USA Hockey bring the first sled hockey program to Montana, January 30 - February 1, 2009 at the Woodland Ice Center in Kalispell, MT. This 1st Annual Sled Hockey Classic will allow participants with physical disabilities to experience the thrill of playing ice hockey.

Flathead Valley Hockey Association, a non-profit organization that provides athletic programs to people in the Flathead Valley, is offering this sled hockey clinic with the ultimate goal of building a sled hockey team that will compete throughout the Northwest. “We are very excited to be launching an innovative, never-seen-in Montana program that will allow participants with disabilities to experience the excitement of hockey for themselves," says Genia Tartaglino of FVHA.

The Association welcomes sled hockey players from all over the United Stated and Canada to participate in this 1st Annual Classic. Most events are free and open to the public.

Sled hockey (also known as sledge hockey) was invented at a Stockholm, Sweden rehabilitation center in the early 1960s by a group of physically impaired Swedes who wanted to continue playing hockey in spite of their disabilities. Their sled design included two skate blades on a metal frame that allowed the puck to pass underneath. They completed the ensemble by including two round poles with bike handles for sticks.

The game came to Minnesota in 1989 and has grown quickly across the United States. Colorado started its first club in 1995. Today, 10 NHL franchises sponsor local sled hockey programs, with more being developed. Sled hockey is played mainly by people with various lower extremity disabilities (e.g. people with amputations, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, post polio, etc.)

The Classic will be open to the public and offered free-of-charge to qualified registered participants. There is no age restriction to participate and sled hockey equipment will be available to those who want to try for the first time. A highlight of the Classic is demonstrations and instruction by Adam Page, the youngest member of the 2008-09 National Sled Hockey Team.

Although Adam Page is only 16 years old, he has been playing sled hockey for half his life. At the age of eight, Page began playing on the Buffalo Sabres sled hockey club team. Six years later, he made the junior national team and a year later was named to the senior national team.

Page's most memorable sled hockey moment came at the 2008 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships when he scored his first goal as a member of Team USA. The goal came against Germany. After winning the bronze medal at the world championships, Page is prepared to help the U.S. team claim the top spot on the podium at the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver.

The 1st Annual Montana Sled Hockey Classic schedule of events includes:

Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7pm at the Glacier High School Auditorium – Guest Speaker Adam Page and movie "Murder Ball" rated PG13. There is no fee for this event but donations for FVHA are welcome.

Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Woodland Ice Center
8:00A.M. Registration
8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. – Opening Ceremony, On-ice clinics, lunch for participants, and games
6 P.M. – Spaghetti Dinner for participants

Sunday, February 1, 2009 at the Woodland Ice Center
8:00A.M. Pancake Breakfast for participants
9:00 A.M - On-Ice Clinic
12:00 P.M. – Games and Closing Ceremony

To Register, Volunteer, or Sponsor the 1st Annual Montana Sled Hockey Classic visit http://www.usahockey.com/flatheadvalley, email flatheadvalleyflames@yahoo.com, or telephone 406.250.0054.

Flathead Valley Hockey Association

Moderate

All

Sled Hockey is for participants with lower extremity physical disabilities.

January 30, 2009 - February 01, 2009

Other Lodging

Free to All - Spectators and Participants