Our Teams
Youth Novice
The Novice Team is open to anyone 18 and under regardless of ability. The primary goal of Novice practices is to provide a supportive environment where volunteers assist each player in whatever manner is most helpful and encouraging to the player. Coaches and Volunteers are on hand to help players move along the ice, develop stick handling skills and learn the game of sled hockey. For players who need additional support physically or emotionally, an optional push bar is attached to the sleds to assist volunteers in providing a safe, inclusive on-ice experience.Players on the Novice team may use this experience as a therapeutic one or as a progression to advance to a more competitive level of play. There are no skill requirements for participation on this team.
Novice players of all abilities will gain experience participating in a team sport and enjoy socializing with peers. Novice players will have the opportunity to scrimmage with other teams and participate in fundraising activities. Traveling to or participating in tournaments is completely optional for players on the Novice team. As players’ skills progress Coaches will determine when players are ready to progress to the Junior Gold or Adult Gold based on player age.
Junior Gold & Junior Black Teams
Our Junior Teams are designed to be for the more advanced youth players with high-functioning physical disabilities who wish to advance in the sport and eventually play competitively on the adult teams. The Junior Teams are open to youth players age 7-18. Optimal players are those who have surpassed the level of play at the Youth Novice level and will progress with skill development starting on the Gold team.
Players on the Junior Teams should focus on learning the strategy and theories behind the actual game of hockey while honing their skating, shooting, and puck handling skills. Junior players must grasp the concept of teamwork, basic plays, and the rules of sled hockey. Depending on their skill level, coaches will determine as to which players are on the Gold & Black teams.
These skills will be learned during weekly practices, scrimmages, and tournaments. One of the best ways to develop hockey skills is by physically playing the game. Coaches, teammates, and opponents all provide critical examples and learning experiences to players who wish to advance their abilities and continue to develop and progress as competitive sled hockey players.
Adult Gold & Adult Black Teams
Our Mighty Penguins Gold & Black Teams are open to adults of any age or disability. For players who need additional support physically or emotionally, an optional push bar is attached to the sleds to assist volunteers in providing a safe, inclusive on-ice experience. The adult teams progress with skill development starting with the Gold team. Coaches will select players for the Gold and Black teams.
Players on the Adult teams may use this experience as a therapeutic one while refining their skills. Players may elect to participate with their assigned team in competitive tournaments and travel. Players of all abilities will gain experience participating in a team sport and enjoy socializing with peers while developing their strength and skill.
Senior Team
Our Senior Team is comprised of players who demonstrate an extremely high level of understanding and ability in the sport of sled hockey. Players must be able to withstand the demanding level of physicality during games and scrimmages. Membership to the Senior Team is very selective with readiness determined by Coaches and is tremendously demanding. There is a strong time and travel commitment to being part of this team.