by Jeff Pagels
Mobility-Impaired Participant, Dianne Brunswick loves to play in the snow and ice, and moving to Phoenix, AZ has not slowed her down. Dianne first learned to play sled hockey at the New Hampshire Ski for Light event several years ago. As a regular participant at International Events and the Ridderrenn in Norway, Dianne felt the need to share with others, especially sled hockey, how winter outdoor sports can open new horizons for people who are mobility-impaired.
Dianne, who works for the City of Phoenix Parks Department has planned and implemented a weekly sled hockey program in the Phoenix area. Aptly named, "Desert Ice" the program is now in its beginning stages to introduce the sport to the Phoenix area. Long term plans hopefully will include a quality competitive sled hockey team that can play against the 30 or so teams around the United States, Canada and Europe. (Sled Hockey is a Paralympic Sport.)
Key to the Desert Ice program is the use of Ski for Light's expansive collection of ice hockey equipment including sleds, hockey sticks, helmets and safety pads. "Since SFL really only uses this gear for one week a year, we felt this was a great way to gain more use of the equipment" said Jeff Pagels, SFL Mobility Impaired Coordinator. And, as part of the agreement, the City of Phoenix covers the cost of shipping the SFL gear to wherever the next event location is, this has resulted in a significant savings in shipping costs for SFL.
During the weekend of August 3, 4 and 5, other SFL Mobility Impaired Participants descended on Phoenix for a weekend of reunion and showing local Phoenix players and coaches the finer points of sled hockey. Stacy Altilio, Craig Gray, Doug Lee and Jeff Pagels joined the Desert Ice for some good fun and training. While outside the temperature was soaring past 100 degrees, inside the ice center, the temperature was in the 40's. A very welcome change which was enjoyed by everyone, especially the visitors from the North!
Playing sled hockey in the summer served as a reminder of the good times to come at the 27th Annual SFL this winter in Granby, CO. Hope you can make it!