The Lightning and AdventHealth Center Ice hosted a Try Sled Hockey for Free event on November 18 at to bring awareness to the game and offer opportunities for those to the sport. Sled hockey is a fast-paced, physical sport played by athletes with physical impairments in the lower part of their body. The rules are similar to hockey, but players can't enter the side of an opponent's sled with the nose of their sled. Each team has six players and a goalie, and there are three 15-minute periods. Sled hockey is played by a wide range of players with mobility limitations, including: Amputees, Spinal cord injuries, Spina bifida and permanent disabilities that limit participation in stand up hockey.

Offering coaching assistance was veteran defender Monica Quimby, a Lakewood Ranch resident, helped lead the U.S. women's development sled hockey team to its second consecutive gold medal at the 2023 Women’s World Challenge in Green Bay, Wisconsin in September. In 2022, the Anaheim Ducks played host to the event, which included 23 teams across five divisions. The Boston Bruins sled team won the Tier I and Tier III titles, the Pittsburgh Penguins won Tier II, the Carolina Hurricanes took first in Tier IV and the Chicago Blackhawks were victors in Tier V.

More information regarding the tournament, including a schedule of games, can be found at LightningHockeyDevelopment.com

About AdventHealth Center Ice

AdventHealth Center Ice is the largest Ice Sports complex south of New York and east of Dallas, conveniently located at the intersection of I-75 and State Road 56, 21 miles north of downtown Tampa. With over 150,000 square feet, our five-rink complex includes three NHL ice rinks, one Olympic/International standard ice rink, and one mini-rink. Each of the NHL rinks can be converted to a dry floor for event or exhibit space. We host some of the region’s largest sporting events and offer our community a variety of programs that suit all ages. Programs range from ice hockey and figure skating to curling and private events. We are home to the University of South Florida hockey team, two USPHL hockey teams, 15 youth travel hockey teams, 6 high school teams, 25 rec-level teams, over 100 adult rec hockey teams, the largest learn-to-skate program in the state and a host of freestyle figure skaters at various skill levels.

AdventHealth Center Ice also offers sports performance and recovery services, and a wide range of amenities and services, including a pro shop, full-service restaurant/bar, concession stand, skate center (rentals & repair), fitness center, indoor sprint track, event and party rooms, and offices.