As posted by Kevin Hughes 

Quick update on the sled hockey group in Fort Wayne, IN.

* Final 08 Summer practice will be Saturday, August 16, 2008 from 8-9am.

* Fall practices will start Monday, September 8, 2008 from 6:45 - 7:45pm

* Remaining Fall and Winter schedule is still being finalize however, will likely have practices twice a month on Monday and Sunday evenings.

* All practices will be at McMillan Ice Arena (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.

* On Friday, February 13 the sled hockey team will play @ Memorial Coliseum during intermission of a Komets game.

* That same weekend (February 14-15) we’re hosting a sled hockey tournament at McMillan Ice Arena.

* Also if you have any suggestion for our team name pass them along, contact Wade Stuckey. *Please stay away from from team names including Sled or Ice. 

As posted at: www.cityoffortwayne.org

Mid-America Hockey Association awards funds for Ice Arena 

A grant for $6,000 was recently awarded to the McMillen Ice Arena’s sled hockey program by the Mid-American Hockey Association. The Roger Sharrer Grant from Mid-Am Hockey is provided to a hockey association that offers the best plan for growing participation in recreational ice hockey in their area. 

In addition to the $6,000 award, the Fort Wayne Youth Hockey Association presented a $2,000 matching grant for the sled hockey program. These funds will be used to purchase six sleds and associated equipment, which the MAC’s new sled hockey team can use to build their program. 

Sled hockey is new to the MAC, where registration is continuing to increase the size of Indiana’s first sled hockey team. The local team has seven members so far, and is looking to sign up more at their next practice July 19, 8-9am. 

The Sharrer grant was presented to representatives from the MAC and Fort Wayne Youth Hockey at the Mid-Am’s annual meeting in Columbus Ohio. They included: Chuck Reddinger, supervisor of programming; Kevin Wagner, President of FWYH; and Greg Chess, V.P. of FWYH. 

“The recent registration of Indiana’s first-ever sled hockey team is a big boost to the sport,” said Reddinger. “Participants have had to travel to Ohio and Illinois to play. Now they can play with a regular team, as well as host a sled hockey tournament February 14th, 2009.” 

Sled hockey is similar to wheelchair basketball and is a great sport for youth and adults. People with mobility disabilities who enjoy (or want to learn) the sport of hockey are welcome! Once they’ve learned the basics, they can compete with anyone – non-disabled friends and others. No experience necessary. There is no pre-registration for this drop-in program, and all equipment will be provided. 

This is the third consecutive year that the MAC has received a Sharrer grant. Previous awards were used to fund the “Suit Up for Hockey” equipment loan program, which provides free use of all the equipment young skaters need. 

The USA Disabled Hockey Section has instituted a new program, called the  One Kid . . .One Sled . . .One Shot . . .A Hockey Player for Life!  It’s a program that is  designed to help bring new players into the sport of sled hockey by initiating a loaner sled program for rinks and organizations who want to conduct “Learn to Play Sled Hockey” clinics but were prevented from doing so due to the lack of sleds and sticks needed to conduct such introductory clinics. 

In traditional hockey programs, rinks and organizations conduct various types of  “Learn to Skate” programs utilizing existing skates from rink operated skate rental shops and/or from donations of used skates. For new players wishing to try sled hockey for the first time this was all but impossible as most rinks and/or organizations  do not have the sleds needed to make this feasible. 

Through a grant from the USA Hockey Foundation, the USA Disabled Hockey Section through the One Kid . . .One Sled . . .One Shot . . .A Hockey Player for Life!  Program has purchased 25 sleds of various sizes to be loaned out to rinks and organizations to be used to conduct “Learn to Play Sled Hockey” clinics.  

Sled Hockey is available Saturday July 19th, as well as August 2nd and 16th, from 8:00-8:55 am at The MAC (3901 Abbott St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806).  This is a drop in program.  Sleds and protective equipment are provided for each session.  

The cost is $5/session.

The McMillen Ice Arena (MAC) is offering two new sports this year—sled hockey and speed skating. The sled hockey program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m., July 19, Aug. 2 and Aug 6. The speed skating program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m., July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. Sled hockey is similar to wheelchair basketball and is a great sport for youth and adults. People with mobility disabilities who enjoy or want to learn the sport of hockey are welcome. Admission is $5 per session. There is no pre-registration for this dropin program and all equipment will be provided. Don’t miss your chance to become a living roller coaster as speed skaters can achieve speeds as fast as 60 miles per hour at short distances. Speed skating sessions are open to all skaters, whether you compete or just skate for fun. Instructors will be available to help beginners get started. Admission is $12 per session. There is no pre-registration for this program and rental skates are available. For more information, call (260) 427-6730 or visit www.mcmillenicearena.org.