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Hockey

Adaptive hockey is a new, up-and-coming sport for athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Though not yet on the Paralympic Winter Games program, the International Blind Ice Hockey Federation (IBIH) was created in 2015 to lead the development of the sport and recruit international participation.

Modifications made to make hockey accessible for athletes who are blind and visually impaired include:

  • A puck that makes noise and is bigger and slower than the traditional puck.
  • The athlete with the lowest vision (approximately 10% or less) plays defense or goalie.
  • Goal nets are 3 feet high to keep the puck low and near the ice.
  • Teams must complete one pass prior to being able to score in the attacking half of the rink. This provides both the low vision defense and the goalie an extra opportunity to track the puck.
  • The game is played with standard International Ice Hockey Federation safety protocols including no-touch icing and crease violations.
  • All players must wear full protective gear including face mask.

If you’re interested in trying blind hockey, we encourage you to attend one of the “Try Blind Hockey” sessions hosted across the country. “Try” events are listed on the USABA Events Calendar as information is provided.

Once you’re solid on ice skates and have a good feel for the basics of the game, get involved with one of the established teams listed below and attend a tournament to develop your competition skills.

New York Metro Blind Hockey
Washington Wheelers Blind Hockey Club (Washington, D.C.)
Hartford Braillers Blind Hockey Club (Connecticut)
NY Nightshade Hockey for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey
Pittsburgh Blind Hockey
St Louis Blues Blind Hockey
Denver Blind Hockey

The sport of Blind Hockey is governed in the United States by USA Hockey. Currently, there are two major annual competitions for the sport of Blind Hockey in the United States: the USA Hockey – Blind Hockey Summit which takes place in the fall, and the USA Hockey Disabled Festival – Blind Hockey Division which takes place in the spring.

Resources

International Blind Ice Hockey Federation
USA Blind Hockey Facebook Page

Contacts

Matt Morrow
Executive Director, Canadian Blind Hockey Association
mattmorrow@blindicehockey.com
(604) 812-6786

Doris Donley
Blind Hockey Representative, USA Hockey
(719) 231-6603

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