As posted at: www.news-sentinal.com

Representatives of the Fort Wayne Fire Department and Police Department will skate with the Fort Wayne Sled Hockey Team at 6:45 p.m. Monday at McMillen Park Ice Arena.The sled hockey team is preparing to play in the Bob Chase Frostbite Classic invitational tournament Feb. 14 and 15 at McMillen. Admission for Monday’s event is $5.

Sleds give those with disabilities opportunity to get out on ice, too

As posted at: www. journalgazette.net

as written by: Ben Smith

Bob Chase sees them at every Komets game, dreaming their dreams behind the glass. Wheelchair parked hub-to-hub with wheelchair. Wondering what it must be like to glide so effortlessly across the ice, to carry a puck on the tape of a stick, to go top-shelf with it into the net.

“I’m sure they’d be dying to try to see what the heck this is all about,” Chase says.

Now they can.

Now comes sled hockey, a version of the game foreign to this hockey city until last year, when a man named Randy Kwapis wondered where in blazes it was. He’d moved to town in 2006 from the Detroit area, where his 18-year-old son, Matthew, played in a local adult league and also on a youth team in Grand Rapids, Mich. Basically it was have sled, will travel for the Kwapises.

At least until they got to Fort Wayne.

“There was no sled hockey here,” Kwapis recalls. “So I instigated getting something going.”

And now he can see what his instigation has wrought, and it’s not two minutes in the penalty box. On a snow-flying Monday night, he stands behind the boards at one end of McMillen Ice Arena, and to his left are 15 brand-new hockey sleds, each adorned with a red bow and the name of the corporate sponsor who paid for it. And on the ice, before long, will be a whole bunch of players on those sleds, wearing Komets jerseys and Carroll High School jerseys and Buffalo Sabres jerseys, maneuvering around with two short sticks that have a hockey blade on one end and metal teeth on the other for digging into the ice and propelling themselves.

“What’s neat about sled hockey is there are no boundaries,” says Perry Ehresman of Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation. “It’s for disabled individuals, it’s for able-bodied individuals, anybody can do it. We’re still building it, still getting the information out to the community, but the interest has grown.”

Kwapis, who enlisted the help of McMillen Ice Arena, Fort Wayne Youth Hockey, Turnstone and the League for the Blind and Disabled to get things rolling, won’t argue with that.

“We’re still a fledgling team here, but it’s come a long way in a year,” he says. “Last year we did our demo on Dec. 4, and that was the first time (sled hockey) had been introduced in Fort Wayne. Since then we’ve created a team – you can see the kids out on the ice – and have somewhat regular scheduled practices. In another year, we’ll have consistent ice time and all those other things.”

Fledgling though it is, it’s still the first sled hockey team in Indiana, which is part of why Chase was at McMillen on Monday. In February the local team, the ice arena and Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation will play host to the Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Tournament, the first of its kind in the city. Plus they’ll be doing a demonstration at Memorial Coliseum.

“I was aware of it because I get a lot of hockey stuff, but I didn’t really know what it was, and I didn’t think it would be coming here,” Chase says. “I was thrilled to be a part of it. It’s another dimension for people who probably would like to see what the experience of hockey is but because of their disabilities never could.

“Now they’re gonna have a chance. It’s great.”

Benefits to help new inclusive sport at McMillen Ice Arena

Fort Wayne, IN : A silent auction to benefit Fort Wayne ’s newest sport is being held at the MAC Ice Arena. Proceeds will provide youth and adults with disabilities an opportunity to participate in sled hockey. The MAC is home to Indiana ’s first sled hockey team and their upcoming Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Tournament February 14-15, 2009.

The following items are on display at the MAC through December 20^th at 6pm:

       Album signed by Chicago

      Doobie Brothers signed Telecaster

       Be a professional wrestling manager

       Be a Komet reporter for a day

       Komet team signed jersey

       Komet team signed pennant

      Learn to drive the Zamboni (must be 18 to win this item)

      Dinner at a Fort Wayne firehouse

       Mayor of Marion , IN for a day

       Dinner at Casa’s with Guy Dupuis (4 people plus Guy)

       Magic Show by Terry Owens

       1992 “Dream Team” Kellogg’s promotional jacket

       Ray Crowe biography signed by Crowe, Oscar Robinson and others

       Saxophone Quartet performance at your event

       Behind the scenes tour of TV Channel 15

       A hockey-themed fleece blanket

       A collection of cool stuff from the Fort Wayne Derby Girls

The sport of sled hockey has been eagerly embraced by officials at the MAC, Fort Wayne Youth Hockey, Turnstone and the League for the Blind and Disabled. These organizations have been involved in building community support to make this program a success. Over the past six months, 15 sleds have been donated to the program and funders are coming forward to help continue the tournament.

For those familiar with wheelchair basketball and tennis, sled hockey is similar in that it is a great sport for youth and adults, and men and women. Sled hockey got its start in Sweden during the 1960’s when two men with disabilities wanted to continue playing hockey. The equipment hasn’t changed much since then – players sit in sleds with two blades on the bottom. They propel and maneuver themselves with two short hockey sticks, curved on one end with short ice picks on the other end. For more information visit www.mcmillenicearena.org  or call the Ice Arena at 427-6769. 

As posted by: Kevin Hughes

Bob Chase drops ceremonial puckMonday night (12/1/08) at McMillen Ice Arena (3901 Abbott St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) the official banner was unveiled promoting the February 14-15, 2009 Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Tournament which will be held at the above location. This will mark the first time that a sled hockey tournament will be hosted in Indiana.Bob Chase who has been the “voice” of Komet Hockey the past 56 seasons started everything off with a ceremonial puck dropping at center ice. From there an hour scrimmage broke out. On many of the sleds (I believe around 15) had sponsors of individuals who donated the needed equipment.Just under a year ago (12/9/07) the MAC hosted the first sled hockey exhibition in Fort Wayne, IN. From there the local sled hockey group has been practicing and building interests in trying to establish the first sled hockey team in Indiana.Next sled hockey practice is this Sunday from 6:15 till 8:15pm at the MAC. Full schedule go to the following link: http://www.fortwayneparks.org/images/stories/McMillen%20Ice%20Arena/Sled%20Hockey%20Broch%2008.pdfIf you’re interested in being a sponsor for this upcoming tournament contact the tournament director, Chuck Reddinger at 260-427-6732.Also, Blake Sebring of the News-Sentinel had an article about this PR event. If you don’t already have today’s copy I highly encourage you to stop by your local gas station, convenient store, or wherever else you prefer to purchase the paper. As always Blake wrote an excellent article and had a picture of yours truly. You can also find this same article at the following link.http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081202/SPORTS/812020319

Come play with members of Indiana’s FIRST official sled hockey team! Sled hockey is designed to accommodate players of varying physical abilities. All equipment is provided and no prior experience is necessary, just the enthusiasm to try a new sport. Players sit in adjustable sleds and propel themselves with 2 sticks. The MAC Hockey staff will be on the ice to aid participants. Many thanks to various individuals, Mid American Hockey, The Ronald Repka Foundation, and Turnstone for their generous donations that supplied the equipment. Sled Hockey will begin September 8 at 6:45 pm and will continue on Monday evenings.  

Cost:  $5/session 

As posted by: Kevin Hughes 

The Fort Wayne Bandit’s adult wheelchair basketball team won the Mid-American Conference Tourney in Strongsville, OH this past weekend (Oct. 25-26, 2008) as they went 5-0, defeating the Moraine Minutemen 64-55 (overtime) in the championship game. For tournament scores click here

Next tourney: Rock N Roll shootout in Cleveland where they’ll face last season D3 champs Hill on Wheels (Kentucky)

On Saturday, November 8, 2008 the Prep Turnstone Flyers will host their annual ‘Prep for the Future’ tourney to kick off the season with two rival opponents from Michigan: Grand Rapids Pacers and Sterling Heights Challengers. All three teams were nationally ranked last season. 

Key match-up: Challengers vs Flyers at 1:30pm. Last season the Flyers won 2 out of 3 games against the Challengers; however, at Prep Nationals the Challengers had the upper hand and finished 2nd while the Flyers finished 3rd in the Nation.

Also… The 4:30 pm Jr. Pacers vs Flyers is an intreging matchup. The two teams have a long history of playing in close games against each other. Don’t be supprise if the game goes into overtime.

All games will be played at

Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities

3320 North Clinton Street - Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Click here for the complete schedule

On Saturday, November 15, 2008 teams from the Hoosier land (Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Muncie) will be competing in the Turnstone Power Soccer Challenge. 

Key match-up: The Fantastic Flyers vs RHI Storm at 1pm….the Fantastic Flyers defeated the Storm 2-1 at last year nationals in the second round.

Also… the Fearless Flyers vs Ball State Cardinals @ 3pm…  the Fantastic Flyers who finished as D-2 National Champions will have a tough battle against D-1 Ball State Cardinals.

All games will be played at

Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities

3320 North Clinton Street - Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Click here for full schedule

Update on Sled Hockey…. Join the building efforts in creating the the first sled hockey team in Indiana.

Next practice is this Monday, November 3rd from 6:45 till 7:45pm. Click here for the complete schedule.

A hand full of the players will be traveling to Northwest Chicagoland December 5 - 7, 2008. For some of the athletes this will be there first tournament experience. 

On Friday, February 13, 2009 members of the Fort Wayne sled hockey group will play @ Memorial Coliseum during intermission of a Komets game.

That same weekend (February 14-15, 2008) McMillan Ice Arena, also know as the MAC, (3901 Abbott Street. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) is hosting ‘The First Annual Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Championship’. Click here for more info.

Click here to learn more about sled hockey

As Posted by: Kevin Hughes

Below is the open ice schedule for those interested in trying out sled hockey. Join the building efforts in creating the the first sled hockey team in Indiana.

Anyone who has a permanent physical disability that limits their participation in ice hockey can play sled hockey. We’re looking for individuals of all ages and skill levels. You’re welcome to attend as many practices as your schedule permits.

All practices are held at McMillan Ice Arena, also known as the MAC, (3901 Abbott Street. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) 

$5 drop in cost per participant. All equipment is provided. Recommend arriving 30 minutes before practice starts to get suited up. 

SLED HOCKEY PRACTICE SCHEDULE

SUN. 10/12/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

SUN. 10/26/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

MON. 11/3/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 11/23/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

MON. 12/1/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 12/7/08 STUDIO                6:15-8:15PM

SUN. 1/4/09 STUDIO                  6:15-8:15PM

MON. 1/12/09 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 1/18/09 STUDIO                6:15-8:15PM

MON. 1/26/09 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

MON. 2/9/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 3/1/09 STUDIO                  6:15-8:15PM

MON. 3/9/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

MON. 4/6/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

On Friday, February 13, 2009 the sled hockey team will play @ Memorial Coliseum during intermission of a Komets game. The Komets are a local minor league hockey team that averaged 7,711 fans last year. It’s a very fun environment to play in. 

That same weekend (February 14-15)  the MAC is hosting ‘The First Annual Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Championship.

Please pass along to others who might also benefit. 

Kevin Hughes

Turnstone Flyers Prep Coach

260-710-2925 (mobile)

As posted at: www.news-sentinel.com

By Blake Sebring

of The News-Sentinel

As a boy, Kevin Hughes was a huge Fort Wayne Komets fan, but he was born with spina bifida Myelomeningocele, so playing was never an option.

“It was a passion, but when I grew up, wheelchair basketball was the only thing available in this area,” he said. “Then I saw they had a sled hockey clinic in Chicago, so I drove up and I loved it.”

So you can imagine how excited Hughes is that McMillen Park Ice Arena will host a sled hockey demonstration 4:30-7 p.m. Sunday. The youth services coordinator for the League for the Blind and Disabled, Hughes has been making sure every disabled athlete in the area hears about the opportunity. He’s also the coach of the nationally ranked Turnstone Flyers youth wheelchair basketball team.

“I love basketball and all the other sports, but hockey is by far the most exciting,” he said. “It’s been a very easy transition to get excited about and work hard at.”

Hughes has been known to drive four hours to Chicago for a two-hour sled hockey practice, and last year he played in a Chicago tournament.  

The demonstration, co-sponsored by Turnstone, is the idea of Randy Kwapis of Mobility Sports, who moved to Fort Wayne from the Detroit area this summer. His son Matt, a junior at Carroll High School, was also born with spina bifida and has used a wheelchair since age 7.

“Matt has been playing for about three years, but that wasn’t an option here without driving for three hours,” Randy Kwapis said. “It’s really big in Canada, and in the United States there might be 1,200 to 1,500 players. There were maybe 1,000 there years ago.”

Randy Kwapis approached McMillen Ice Arena Manager Dennis Smith about the possibility of an exhibition.

“This is a city rink, and it should be for everyone,” Smith said. “I want everybody to have an opportunity. Sometimes kids take it for granted how easy they have it, and here there are kids and adults who wish they could do what some of those kids could do and they found a way to make it happen.”

Sled hockey uses almost all the rules of a regular hockey game, with checking, passing and line changes. It was invented in Stockholm, Sweden, in the early 1960s and is a popular sport in the Paralympic Games.Players ride sleds, using pegs on the butt end of their two sticks, on a full sheet of ice. The best shooters can supposedly blast the puck nearly 30 mph.

“It’s amazing to watch these guys play,” Kwapis said. “Not only is it awesome to watch them play hockey, but also to see how talented they are at skating, how graceful they are.”

The exhibition will include players form Grand Rapids, Mich., and Columbus, Ohio - along with Hughes. Kwapis, who builds wheelchairs used for sports, is donating most of the equipment. A few of the sleds will be available for the public to try out after the exhibition.

“Fort Wayne is such a perfect location because there are teams in Chicago, Cleveland, St. Louis, Grand Rapids, Columbus and Detroit,” Kwapis said. “The hard part is getting a local program off the ground so we can get enough players out to practice because there are plenty of tournaments to play in.”

Below is the open ice schedule for those interested in trying out sled hockey. Join the building efforts in creating the the first sled hockey team in Indiana.

Anyone who has a permanent physical disability that limits their participation in ice hockey can play sled hockey. We’re looking for individuals of all ages and skill levels. You’re welcome to attend as many practices as your schedule permits.

All practices are held at McMillan Ice Arena, also known as the MAC, (3901 Abbott Street. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) 

$5 drop in cost per participant. For more info, feel free to call Wade Stuckey at 427-6765. All equipment is provided. Recommend arriving 30 minutes before practice starts to get suited up.

SLED HOCKEY PRACTICE SCHEDULE

MON. 9/8/08 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

MON. 9/22/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

MON. 10/6/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 10/12/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

SUN. 10/26/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

MON. 11/3/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 11/23/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

MON. 12/1/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 12/7/08 STUDIO                6:15-8:15PM

SUN. 1/4/09 STUDIO                  6:15-8:15PM

MON. 1/12/09 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 1/18/09 STUDIO                6:15-8:15PM

MON. 1/26/09 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

MON. 2/9/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 3/1/09 STUDIO                  6:15-8:15PM

MON. 3/9/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

MON. 4/6/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

On Friday, February 13, 2009 the sled hockey team will play @ Memorial Coliseum during intermission of a Komets game. The Komets are a local minor league hockey team. The Komets averaged 7,711 fans last year. It’s a very fun environment to play in. 

That same weekend (February 14-15)  the MAC is hosting a sled hockey tournament.

Hope to see ya there!

Kevin Hughes

Turnstone Flyers Prep Coach

260-710-2925 (mobile)

Monday, September 8 

Sled Hockey practice @ McMillan Ice Arena (3901 Abbott Street. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) from 6:45 till 7:45pm.

$5 drop in cost per participant.

For more info, feel free to call Wade Stuckey at 427-6765. All equipment is provided. Recommend arriving 30 minutes before practice starts to get suited up.