In this Steadward Talks, we will explore the evolution of sledge / para-ice hockey past, present and future.
We will explore the evolution of sledge / para-ice hockey including its earliest days in Scandinavia, the introduction to North America, being included in the Paralympic Games and the future of what is now arguably one of the Paralympic Games’ most exciting and popular sports. Speakers will include Annie Johnston, Paralympian Manny Guerra , and Tara Chisholm. The session will be moderated by David Legg and Ted Fay and joined by Dr. Steadward for reflective remarks.
The Steadward Talks are co-hosted by the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity and Disability in Sport International. The talks are conversations with global leaders that examine the origins and future of inclusion in sport, focusing specifically on athletes with a disability.
Speakers:
Annie Johnston lives with her husband Jerry in Kimberley and both have been involved with disability sport starting in 1963 as Jerry started Alpine skiing for the Disabled in Canada in Banff. Annie was his secretary for 57 years and ran the CADS (Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing) National Office for 27 years and she continues to volunteer on the hill (starting soon!). It was Annie’s late twin sister Jean Lane who then introduced Sledge Hockey across Canada in 1981.
For Manny Guerra, a love for the game of hockey since his childhood, he would compete in his local area park hockey league and would wear a simple knee brace to counter the effects of instability along with a small 1” lift sole inside his left skate. He was introduced to the sport of sled hockey in 1991 by a local club in Minnesota and after playing for one season he received an invitation to attend the 1992 U.S. National Team Trials in which he was selected starting goaltender. As a member of the US Paralympic Team, which participated at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah ‐ Manny stopped Norway’s final three shots in a shootout preserving a 4‐3 victory and crowning Team USA champions of the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games and winning a Gold medal.
Tara Chisholm is the head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Para Ice Hockey team. She joined the Canadian national program in 2013 and serves as a founding board member of Women’s Para Hockey of Canada / Parahockey féminin du Canada. Tara has extensive coaching background as she has been coaching able bodied hockey since 2001 and Para Ice hockey since 2008. Her coaching experience ranges from first-contact grassroots level to working with elite Para Ice Hockey athletes at an international level. Tara has also supported a number of IPC and World Para Ice Hockey programs around the world.
