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Amputee hockey teams to play
The U.S. and Canadian National Amputee Hockey teams will play an exhibition game at 1 p.m. today, as part of the Winter Paralympic Games. The two teams will face off at the Steiner Ice Center, adjacent to the University of Utah campus.
"This is a great fit for the Paralympics," said Dr. David Crandell of Needham, Mass., executive vice president of the American Amputee Hockey Association, which is promoting the candidacy of "standing ice hockey" as a Paralympic medal sport.
Sled hockey debuted as a medal sport in 1998.
"Because the level of play is so high, it's great for the sport of hockey and creates new opportunities to grow the game for all possible participants. We're very excited about coming to Salt Lake City to show the world some great hockey," said Brent Clemens, team captain and chairman of the Canadian Amputee Hockey Committee.
"We've accomplished a lot working with the Americans over the past year, and we hope to get other hockey-loving nations to form teams to increase our chances of being a full-medal sport in Turin, Italy, in 2006."
In addition to the exhibition game, the U.S. team will be at the Steiner Ice Center on Sunday from 9-10 a.m., for an Ability Awareness Skate with a local youth ice hockey team and an Open Skate Clinic from 10-11 a.m., for those individuals with physical impairments who would like to try the game for themselves.
For additional information, or to obtain directions to the Steiner Ice Center, visit the AAHA Web site at ( www.amputeehockey.org).
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March 16, 2002
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