Grand Rapids Hosts Sled Hockey Competition for over 250 Athletes

Posted on March 24, 2023

Grand Rapids Hosts Sled Hockey Competition for over 250 Athletes

Sled Hockey is back in Grand Rapids!

Twenty-four teams are traveling from eight states for this weekend’s Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic. With over 250 athletes, it’s the region’s largest tournament of its kind. The competition is hosted by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports and serves as the league championship for the adult league.

When: Starting Friday night, March 24 and continuing through Sunday, March 26
Where: Patterson Ice Center, 2550 Patterson Ave. SE, and Eagles Ice Center, 2600 Village Drive SE

The tournament features athletes of all ages with divisions for adults, juniors and novices, that includes kids as young as seven. Teams will be traveling to Grand Rapids from eight different states across the country, even as far as Tennessee and New York.

Sled hockey is a highly competitive Paralympic sport similar to traditional hockey, but participants sit on bladed sleds. It’s ideal for competitive and recreational athletes with lower-limb-affected disabilities.

Players use shortened hockey sticks with a blade on one end and a pick on the other, that enables them to propel themselves across the ice. Just like in traditional hockey, checking, penalties and hard slap shots are abundant.

Two athletes suiting up for the competition are more than just teammates. Connor and Susie Fee play on the Grand Rapids Sled Wings adult team and are husband and wife!

Susie started playing sled hockey 23 years ago and was one of the first members of Grand Rapids team. She was born with Spina Bifida, a condition affecting her spinal cord and limiting her ability to walk. While traveling with her sled hockey team, she met Connor at a USA Sled Hockey Camp, who also had Spina Bifida.

After several years playing the same sport, what started as a friendship grew into more! Now they are enjoying their first year of marriage, playing on the same team, and even celebrated a “Fee to Fee” goal!

Admission is free and concession are available on site. Come on out and cheer on the local teams!