Sledge Hockey’s 20th Anniversary
The Icepickers Sledge Hockey Team celebrated their 20th Anniversary year with a friendly game and post game lunch on March 14, 2024 at the new myFM Centre. Many spectators were there to join us in the singing of our National Anthem before the puck drop. Joining the Icepickers for the first time was Chadd Stoppa of Barry’s Bay, an athlete of the bronze metal winning team at the 2023 Ontario Winter Games.
The first four sledges were handcrafted using pipes bent with the help of a volunteer’s Ford F-150 and skate blades purchased from the Salvation Army. The team now has enough sledges on hand to invite the community to try the sport, donated to the group by notable local figures like Paralympian Lou Mulvihill, the NHL Players Association, the Wounded Warriors Program, Renfrew Rotary, Rusty Blades, MATIV (formerly Scapa Tapes), the Ontario Special Olympics, the Renfrew Wing, and more.
Allan Yull, a long time volunteer, was a crucial part of the Icepicker’s advocacy for a number of accessibility features added to the myFM Centre’s recently added second ice pad, such as clear boards along the benches and accessible dressing rooms.
