Environmental School students get a lesson in para ice hockey

One of the best parts of playing para ice hockey, according to students from the SD42 Environmental School, is you don’t have to wear skates.

“I liked that I didn’t have to wear skates,” said Grade 6 student Oliver. “It was fun.”

Thirty-five students in grades 5 to 7 had the opportunity to try the adaptive ice sport in February, with some coaching from Team BC players.

Para ice hockey, also known as sledge hockey, has the same rules as stand-up ice hockey. Rather than wear skates, players sit on sleds with skates underneath and use two sticks to pass, shoot, and move around.

“It was so amazing having the students […] out to try para hockey,” said Team BC player and Thomas Haney Secondary alumna Madison McKenzie. “Seeing their eagerness and enthusiasm to learn more about the sport reminded me of why I fell in love with para hockey.”

For many students, she noted, it was their first time in a sled or learning what para hockey is.

“We were all so excited to see their progress throughout the session and their ability to adapt and pick up the sport,” McKenzie said. “They showed determination and resilience, resembling true para hockey players.”

The session was facilitated by SportAbility BC, a non-profit association that promotes participation in sports for people with physical disabilities.

While the lesson was a lot of fun for students, it wasn’t without its challenges.

“It was harder than I thought it was going to be,” said Grade 7 student Evan. “It was easier than hockey because you didn’t have to skate, but it was difficult to use two sticks.”

Environmental School principal Nicole McKenzie says staff and students have been discussing accessibility in class and this field trip was an opportunity to show them firsthand what it looks like in practice.

“We talked about how they all came to the session at the same place,” McKenzie explained. “No one knew how to play so they were all learning together. No one was better than the other. We also talked about perseverance and trying something new and challenging.

“It was an opportunity for our students to learn something new, persevere together and to understand accessibility while meeting players that are able to play the sport they love.”