WHO WE ARE: The Cincinnati IceBreakers offer adaptive ice hockey (also known as sled, sledge and para) hockey for youth and adults who are unable to skate in a standing position due to a physical challenge.
The IceBreakers’ formed in 2007 with just a few players learning about the sport and has grown to over 30+ players with ages ranging from 5 years old to over 70 years old.
WHAT DOES THIS COST: First season players do not pay to play. Equipment is loaned to each player.
The IceBreakers are able to maintain this program at little to no cost to the player due to planned fundraising, sponsorships and grants. As with all not-for-profit organizations, the IceBreakers request Board members, coaches, volunteers, participants and their families to contribute to the fundraising efforts for the program to minimize any and all costs.
NO ONE is turned away from our program or from participating in games or tournaments due to having a financial restriction.
Scholarships are available to help offset costs for anyone requiring financial assistance if costs exists for participation in games or tournaments.
The IceBreakers work tirelessly year round to raise funds to keep costs at a bare minimum or better yet, free!
PRACTICES
Practices are once a week, on Monday evenings, for 90-minutes at Queen City Sportsplex in Cincinnati, Ohio (formerly Sports Plus).
- Players may choose to participate recreationally or competitively. There are different levels of competition – so there are options
- Players who do wish to compete (at any level) will need to travel because there are no other sled hockey programs within 100 miles of Cincinnati.
Players learn how to propel, turn and stop their sled, play the game of hockey, and when ready, participate in scrimmages, games and tournaments.
SAFETY: ALL coaches, managers, and volunteers are USA Hockey registered, SafeSport trained, and professionally screened through USA Hockey. You can expect coaches, managers, and volunteers to display professionalism and confidentiality at all times. SAFESPORT IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM REQUIRED BY ALL NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES, SUCH AS USA HOCKEY.
Our annual ‘fun’ scrimmages for all our players include:
- scrimmaging able-bodied high school hockey players in sleds
- scrimmaging Cincinnati Firefighters & local Police in sleds
- hosting an adult tournament weekend
- demonstrating sled hockey in front of huge crowds at a Cincinnati Cyclone’s game or Miami University college game
- joining the entire program at an ‘End of the Season Celebration’ (Courtesy of Indian Hill Winter Club/Frank Baverso) to allow players, families, and our awesome volunteers the chance to mingle and celebrate another great year of hockey
Cincinnati’s program is a registered nonprofit organization under the name of Cincinnati Sled Hockey (EIN 85-3604639) in the MidAmerican District of USA Hockey, the national governing organization.
