Twelve-year-old Luke Wilson of Delmar wants to play every sport his twin brother Ben plays, including hockey.
The problem is, Luke’s cerebral palsy prevents him from playing competitively.
Starting in September, though, Luke will have the chance to play a competitive sport. Bethlehem Youth Hockey is starting a region-wide sled hockey program that is open to people of all ages.
I think it’s really exciting. I can’t wait to get on the ice, said Luke.
Sled hockey has many of the same rules as regular hockey. The primary difference is that the players sit on specially designed sleds with hockey skate blades on the runners, and they propel themselves with two short hockey sticks that have metal picks at one end to grab the ice.
Luke’s parents, Kim and Tom Wilson, spearheaded the push to establish a sled hockey program in the Capital District, and it didn’t take them long to convince Bethlehem Youth Hockey’s administrative board to give it a chance.
`They welcomed us with open arms. (The vote) was unanimous,` said Kim. `They are actually sponsoring us by giving us ice time` at its home rink, the Bethlehem Area YMCA.
The sled hockey program will start with a junior team in the fall coached by Ben Ferber, who has experience as a hockey player and a youth team coach. A novice team, an intermediate team and a senior team will be added in the future.
`I’ve done a lot of research on the Internet,` said Ferber. `There’s a lot I still have to learn, but I’ve already got the basics.`
To raise money and awareness of the sport, the Wilsons worked with the Buffalo Sabres sled hockey program to set up two exhibitions. The first took place Dec. 27 between periods of an Albany River Rats home game. The second exhibition takes place Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Bethlehem Area YMCA.
The Sabres are looking forward to having another sled hockey program in upstate New York.
`Our goal was to get a Thruway league,` said Sabres sled hockey manager Gail Balsdon. `We want teams in Erie (Pa.), Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany.`
Rules of the game
Sled hockey has six players to a side ` a goaltender, two defensemen and three forwards. Line changes take place either during stoppages or on the fly whenever needed, and all the normal hockey lines, goals and rules are used. The primary differences are that reserves sit along the boards in front of the benches, and players serve penalties in front of the penalty box, since those areas are usually not handicap accessible.
`It’s an awesome sport for the kids,` said Kevin Ball, one of the Sabres’ sled hockey program coaches and a father of a player. `It’s the only sport that allows them to play a regular sport.`
Though the sport is designed for those with lower-body disabilities, it’s also open to able-bodied players. That means Luke and Ben Wilson could conceivably share the ice, which is something their mother said has always been one of Luke’s goals.
`He’s always wanted to keep up with Ben, which is why he’s done so well (in sports),` said Kim.
Unlimited potential
Sled hockey players aren’t limited to playing in weekend tournaments. There are national and international competitions, including the Paralympics ` the quadrennial sporting event for disabled athletes that are held in Olympic host cities.
Brad Emmerson was one of three members of the Buffalo Sabres sled hockey program that competed on the bronze medal-winning United States team at last year’s Paralympics in Turin, Italy.
`It’s something that growing up as a kid, I never thought I’d experience,` said Emmerson, who has cerebral palsy from the waist down. `It was amazing. (The fans) were crazy up there. The U.S. fans were the loudest group. We fed off that the whole time.`
Emmerson, 21, and his Sabre teammates also have the opportunity to play in the Ontario Sledge Hockey Association, which gives them added playing time.
`We play at least two (league) games a month ` one home, and one away,` said Balsdon.
The home games are extra special for the Buffalo players. They skate at HSBC Arena, which is the home of the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres.
`Just to skate on the same ice as the players I grew up watching is amazing. It’s so much fun,` said Emmerson.
The Bethlehem Youth Hockey program won’t be playing its home games at a major league arena like the Sabres, but Kim Wilson said the excitement throughout the region is palpable.
`I’ve had several people call me already about it,` she said.
For information on Bethlehem Youth Hockey’s sled hockey program, call Kim Wilson at 475-1077.“