Sledge hockey 'a lot tougher than it looks' players learn (6 photos)

Even skilled hockey players can be humbled by the sled.

Spencer McInnis found that out during Thursday’s fifth annual Sunshine Sledge Hockey Tournament at Rotary Place, a fundraiser for All Sports All People (ASAP).

“It was really tough — a lot tougher than it looks. Stickhandling is definitely the hardest part,” said the Georgian College student. “We’re quite good at regular hockey, but sledge — we’re still picking it up.”

“They must be pretty strong,” teammate Jonathan Figueiredo said of sledge hockey players. “It’s a lot of upper-body strength.”

Tyler McGregor knows how difficult it can be. The sport was a learning curve for McGregor, who is now captain of Team Canada’s sledge hockey team 

“I remember my first time in a sled. I was 17, 18 years old and I couldn’t believe how challenging it was,” said McGregor, 25. “To now be eight, nine years into the sport and out there with people trying it for the first time is a lot of fun.”

McGregor was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma when he was 15. Just after his 16th birthday, he had to have his left leg amputated. It was a blow to the young athlete, who had been playing hockey since he was three years old and aspired to be in the NHL.

“I was struggling to find a sense of purpose in my life,” he said. “The sport of sledge hockey offered me that opportunity.”

He is now the program development co-ordinator with ASAP, which has provided sporting opportunities to about 6,000 kids in Simcoe County and York Region.

“I truly believe in what we’re doing,” he said.

The Sunshine Sledge Hockey Tournament is ASAP’s main fundraiser, bringing in about $3,000 a year.

Its success is due in large part to the community, which comes out to participate every year. This year’s tournament featured 12 teams of seven, with participants representing Georgian College, Lakehead University, the Orillia Youth Centre, Ontario Provincial Police, event sponsor Back to Function and others.

“It’s a huge event for us and it’s super-exciting,” said Chantelle Maurice, ASAP’s school outreach co-ordinator. “Adaptive sports is for everybody. A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to see these sports, never mind play them.”

Back to Function beat Team Yateman in the finals Thursday to win its second title in a row.

To find out more about ASAP, visit its website.