Wolfpack Sled Hockey Team
Gaylord Wolfpack Sled Hockey Team
The Gaylord Sports Association Wolfpack is part of the Gaylord Sports Association, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s adaptive sports program and is the only Sled Hockey team in Connecticut. The team is coed and consists of 12 adult players with a range of diagnoses including spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, amputation and multiple sclerosis. The team is part of the Northeast Sled Hockey League (NESHL) and competes across the northeast from September through May.
About Sled Hockey
Sled Hockey is a sit-down version of hockey, played by individuals whose disability prevents them from playing stand-up hockey. Sled hockey has minimal differences from stand-up hockey, other than equipment. Using specially designed sleds that sit on top of two hockey skate blades, players power themselves on the ice using their arms, and most standard hockey rules apply. The sport follows most typical ice hockey rules, played on a regulation-sized rink with standard nets and puck, featuring common hockey elements like checking and high-speed slap shots. This fast-paced sport is not only a great form of exercise, but also builds confidence, independence and strength while enjoying team camaraderie. Competitive opportunities range from recreational levels to the USA National Sled Hockey Team and Paralympics. Sled hockey offers the same energy, excitement and thrills as able-bodied hockey. It is played by a wide range of individuals with various mobility limitations, including limb loss, spinal cord injury, spina bifida and anyone who has a permanent disability that limits participation in stand up hockey and non-disabled players are encouraged to participate.
Team Calendar
Team practices are held on Sundays from October through April at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT. Travel games with the Northeast Sled Hockey League (NESHL) league are scheduled monthly from September through March. The team has also travelled to attend the USA Hockey Disabled Festival and the NHL Sled Classic. The team coaches are USA Hockey Certified Coaches and have specialized training in Sled Hockey.
Team Accomplishments
• 2007 - Gaylord Wolfpack players Karen Smith and Kelly Lavoie were selected to play for the
inaugural US National Women’s Sled Hockey Team, paving the way for the development of
women’s sled hockey. Karen Smith played as the starting goalie and co-captain for 9 years. Kelly
continued to play for the US Women’s team for 11 years.
• 2014 – Karen Smith takes home a gold medal with the US National Women’s Sled Hockey Team
in the first ever IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Women’s International Cup
• 2015 – The Team became a program of the Gaylord Sports Association
• 2015 – Rachel Grusse, Wolfpack Player, joins the US Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team
and is a current player on the team.
• 2015 – The Gaylord Wolfpack support Camp No Limits at Quinnipiac University during the first
annual Charity Sled Hockey Game.
• April 2016 – Competed in the Disabled Hockey Festival in Detroit and placed second in our
division.
• November 2016 – Team became an affiliate of the Boston Bruins and played in the NHL Sled
Classic, placing 2nd in our division.
• 2017 – Gaylord Wolfpack Player and Team Manager Karen Smith serves as the assistant coach
for the US Women’s Sled Hockey Development Team.
• 2018 – Teamed up with Team USA Sled Hockey athletes, Declan Farmer and Jack Wallace, for
the Disabled Hockey Festival in Chicago and won the Division B National Championship
• 2019 – Competed in the Disabled Hockey Festival in Florida, finishing 2nd in the National
Championship game
• 2023 – Won the National Championship in the Adult Tier II Division at USA Hockey’s Disabled
Hockey Fest.
Team Coaches
Trevor Doyon
Coach
Corey Podbielski
Coach
Karen Smith
Team Manager
Come join us!
Men and women ages 16 and over who have a physical disability can join the team, as well as able-
bodied players. We welcome both new and experienced players and we have opportunities for new
players to try sled hockey throughout the season.