Lightning-backed event introduces newcomers to sled hockey
The USA Hockey Sled Classic, which included a clinic for sled hockey first-timers, wrapped up over the weekend in Wesley Chapel.
Instructors teach participants during The Try Sled Hockey for Free event at AdventHealth Center Ice on Saturday in Wesley Chapel. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
A sled hockey marathon of sorts concluded Sunday with the final games of the 13th annual USA Hockey Sled Classic at Wesley Chapel’s AdventHealth Center Ice. The four-day event, featuring 30 sled hockey teams associated with NHL clubs, included dozens of games held at various skill levels.
Highlighting the action was a Try Sled Hockey for Free event Saturday afternoon. The no-cost clinic introduced 20 participants to the sport, an adapted version of ice hockey for athletes whose disability may inhibit them from playing conventional hockey. Among the clinic instructors was Lightning sled hockey veteran Monica Quimby, a member of the U.S. women’s development team.
Cody Callahan, 7, of Land O’Lakes, handles the puck during The Try Sled Hockey for Free event Saturday at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Sled hockey newcomers take practice shots at the goal. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
A box of gloves wait to be used by sled hockey participants during the clinic. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Monica Quimby, a member of the U.S. women’s development sled hockey team, teaches and cheers on participants. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Participants rush toward the puck during a scrimmage game at AdventHealth Center Ice. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Manuel Torres, 11, of Tampa, prepares to shoot the puck toward the goalie. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Henry Paniccia, 32, of Tampa, puts on hockey gear as he prepares to take the ice for his first time playing sled hockey. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Aaron Humphrey, community hockey and development manager for the Lightning, left, helps Henry Paniccia, 32, of Tampa, put on his helmet. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
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Jack Wallace, a player on the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, left, takes a shot, while David Pearson, 10, of Troy, Mich., attempts to block him. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Lightning sled hockey staff assist Manuel Torres, 11, of Tampa, center, into his sled. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Manuel Torres, 11, of Tampa, left, learns sled hockey from Jack Wallace, a player on the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
Jefferee Woo is a staff photographer. Reach him at jwoo@tampabay.com.
Joey Knight is a sports reporter who helps cover all sports teams in Tampa Bay, from high school athletes to professionals. Reach him at jknight@tampabay.com.
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/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FER6XUMSSFDVHBNLD7MKC5NJKQ.jpg "Instructors teach participants during The Try Sled Hockey for Free event at AdventHealth Center Ice on Saturday in Wesley Chapel.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XIV25HUMEBFNXODDM42X2HEC6Q.jpg "Cody Callahan, 7, of Land O’Lakes, handles the puck during The Try Sled Hockey for Free event Saturday at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/NYFN723RGJAH3NUTFC4FVFLZQY.jpg "Sled hockey newcomers take practice shots at the goal.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JT4XC4TL4FAVZAZB5XDSNAYRBU.jpg "A box of gloves wait to be used by sled hockey participants during the clinic.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UWI4AAAWD5FFXDTNEKPU2TXBKY.jpg "Monica Quimby, a member of the U.S. women’s development sled hockey team, teaches and cheers on participants.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XELEUNQMD5AGDOGQYHKOU6T6LI.jpg "Participants rush toward the puck during a scrimmage game at AdventHealth Center Ice.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5XJULGICLJEORIWPTMT26ON7S4.jpg "Manuel Torres, 11, of Tampa, prepares to shoot the puck toward the goalie.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EHKJR2N3HZDT7N7Z6BDKSJUVTM.jpg "Henry Paniccia, 32, of Tampa, puts on hockey gear as he prepares to take the ice for his first time playing sled hockey.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PFVEGBJJXNE3VIA7BKMIKNH5GU.jpg "Aaron Humphrey, community hockey and development manager for the Lightning, left, helps Henry Paniccia, 32, of Tampa, put on his helmet.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3KMXMNZYE5ATTCL2AYP224QPHU.png "Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WGZQAOTJQVBLXDBQPH5X7HJJXI.jpg "Jack Wallace, a player on the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, left, takes a shot, while David Pearson, 10, of Troy, Mich., attempts to block him.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SDM4KPARGBGRJDAFB2EEWEQZCU.jpg "Lightning sled hockey staff assist Manuel Torres, 11, of Tampa, center, into his sled.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/S7U5ZZI4DZGS5GR7R74CT4KYCU.jpg "Manuel Torres, 11, of Tampa, left, learns sled hockey from Jack Wallace, a player on the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.")
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