December 27, 2023
Shana Wandler, Program leader and Clinical Lead with AHS Therapeutic Recreation, helps Nixon Hutchinson take to the ice. Photo by Kelly Morris.
Kassian Senneker and his grandfather Chris Haney take a shot on net. Photo by Kelly Morris.
Oliver and Josh Harker take to the ice at the Nicholas Sheran Arena, practising para ice hockey with AHS Therapeutic Recreation. Participants range in age from 6 to 60 for this family-friendly activity, where all can enjoy an equal playing field. Photo by Kelly Morris.
Story & photos by Kelly Morris
LETHBRIDGE — The Nicholas Sheran arena echoes with happy sounds. Blades carve the ice. Sticks tap, then slap a puck, as players fly by. Seated on a sled above two skate blades, their legs extended and strapped in, players of all ages, from 6 to 60, eagerly learn the skills of para ice hockey, hustling towards the net with ice picks in both hands.
Hosted by the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Therapeutic Recreation team in an effort to create more inclusive opportunities in Lethbridge and area, para ice hockey is being offered free until March.
In its third season, para ice hockey, previously known as sledge hockey, creates “an inclusive opportunity, removing barriers to recreation, leisure and participation, while improving quality of life,” says Shana Wandler, program leader and Clinical Lead with AHS Therapeutic Recreation.
The program welcomes all ages, evident by the range of participants who came out this late November evening to enjoy a family-friendly opportunity that puts everyone on a level playing field.
“We have four kids,” says Josh Harker, who arrives with his seven-year-old son Oliver. “He wants to do everything the other kids are doing, so we try to find activities that we can all do together. Having things like this where he can bring out his sibling, or aunties and uncle, and do something with them all is pretty special. It’s more of an equalizer; everybody’s at the same level.”
Each year, the program has continued to grow its interest and support. The sessions continue to be offered for free thanks to partnerships with Lethbridge Minor Hockey, Lethbridge Sports Council and the Calgary Flames Sport Bank.
“The partnerships have been really valuable because without them we wouldn’t be able to offer what we are doing,” says Wandler. “Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association is giving us some ice time (at a reduced rate) in the evening, which allows people who are either in school or working to access the rink.
“We then also partner with Lethbridge Sport Council. They’re using grant money to pay for all the ice for the whole season, keeping things free for participants, while removing a financial barrier as well.”
The Lethbridge Sport Council has also helped the program to succeed through promotion and advice. To meet the need for new equipment, the council suggested reaching out to the Calgary Flames Sport Bank to request donations. The bank, without hesitation, sent 21 helmets in 2022 and 17 pairs of gloves in 2023.
“Thanks to our partners, we’re providing all the equipment to allow for successful participation for anyone — and removing any of the barriers that could potentially limit somebody from trying it,” adds Wandler.
Each session includes a demonstration and discussion around the basics — how to move, turn, pass, and how to get back up if you fall — followed by a chance to play a short game.
“We go through a few of the drills, giving them some of those foundational skills, which allows people to get confident being in the sled and moving around, before we go into a scrimmage at the end,” says Wandler. “By that point, people are kind of understanding how they can move in the sled without being intimated by everyone around them.”
Parents often tell Wandler that it’s well worth it to get their young kids out on the ice, even if it’s past their bedtime. Sessions this season run from 7:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Taking part in his second year of para ice hockey, Kassian Senneker, 6, and his grandfather Chris Haney, hit the ice together whenever they get the chance. Kassian’s father Alex says he’s happy there’s more disability-friendly opportunities these days in Lethbridge.
“Ever since we found out (Kassian) had cerebral palsy, we wanted to find activities that he could be a part of,” says Senneker.
“It's really great because we can experience what he gets to deal with and learn the motion that he has to figure out. It’s nice to be able to know, OK, this is what it actually is — and then we can help him kind of experiment and adjust to what he needs.”
Para Ice Hockey is open to all ages and all abilities. Upcoming sessions will take place at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Arena from 7:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on the following dates: Jan. 15 & 29; Feb. 26; March 4, 11, 18 & 25. A range of sled, helmet and glove sizes are available. Pre-registration can ensure equipment will be available at the session, although walk-ins are also welcome. To reserve your spot, email shana.wandler@ahs.ca.
