The U.S. Women’s National Sled Hockey Team will match up against Australia today in the first-ever World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championship at Winter Stadium in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia. The Team USA’s roster will feature Monica Quimby, co-captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning sled hockey team.
Sled hockey is an adapted version of ice hockey for athletes whose disability may prevent them from playing stand-up hockey. The tournament is set to feature six teams, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, and team World, comprised of players from several nations.
The sport is growing quickly across the United States and Canada. The U.S. Women’s National Sled Hockey Team holds annual tryouts, and each year the turnout has steadily increased. What began as a small pool of athletes nearly a decade ago has expanded into a full pipeline.
“I just can't wait to see where the sport goes. We’re on the road to the Paralympics,” Quimby said. “The great thing about a team sport is there's literally a place for everybody.”
Puck drop is at 4 p.m. local time and 10 a.m. ET. Each game from the tournament will stream live on the World Para Ice Hockey Facebook page and the Paralympics YouTube channel.