Hoover Vikings

Come out to support the Vikings and the Cleveland Mighty Barons on Friday as they take to the ice for a sled hockey match. The Mighty Barons Sled Hockey Team is comprised of a group of players with disabilities that have them playing in sleds. The team will provide sleds for the Hoover players, and the game will be played with sled hockey rules, with 15 minute periods.

Ice sled (sledge) hockey was invented in the early 1960’s in Stockholm, Sweden, by a few hockey play­ers who would not let their phys­i­cal dis­abil­i­ties get in the way of doing what they loved. They mod­i­fied their equip­ment and played on a lake south of Stockholm. However, it was not until 1994 at the Winter Paralympics Games in Lillehammer, Norway, that it became an offi­cial event. It is now prac­ticed in 12 coun­tries. Sled hockey has been played in Canada and the United States for sev­eral decades and many teams are registered with USA Hockey, playing an aggressive game and tournament schedule each year.

Proceeds from donations at Friday's game will benefit the Mighty Baron's organization. Hoover Hockey Manager Knute Hankins said that the team will be challenged: "The last time our Hoover team played the Mighty Barons, they had a tough time keeping up with the team. Using the sleds is an adjustment, and many of the Baron's kids are talented players. Friday's game should be a good one."