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From Sleds to Scoring — Rules, Equipment & What Makes It Different
Last updated: March 3, 2026
Para ice hockey (formerly "sledge hockey") follows the same core objective as regular ice hockey: score more goals than the opponent. But the equipment and some rules are fundamentally different. Players sit in metal-framed sleds mounted on two skate blades and use two short sticks — each with a spiked end for propulsion and a bladed end for puck control. The sport features unique penalties like teeing (ramming with the front of the sled) and charging (building speed before a sled-to-sled collision) that have no equivalent in regular hockey. It's the most watched Paralympic winter sport and one of the most physically intense.
Para ice hockey players sit in metal-framed sleds mounted on two standard ice hockey skate blades and propel themselves using two short dual-purpose sticks — spiked ends dig into the ice for T-push propulsion, bladed ends handle the puck. Games consist of 3 periods of 15 minutes each (vs 3 × 20 in regular hockey), and a goal is scored the same way: puck fully across the goal line.
The sport was invented in Stockholm, Sweden in the 1960s at a rehabilitation centre, where athletes with lower body disabilities adapted ice hockey by mounting sleds on skate blades. Originally called "sledge hockey," it was renamed "para ice hockey" by the International Paralympic Committee as part of a broader naming standardisation across Paralympic sports.
The sport entered the Paralympic program at the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. At Milano-Cortina 2026, 8 national teams compete in the tournament at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. It remains one of the most watched events of the entire Winter Paralympics, combining the speed and physicality of hockey with the unique dynamics of sled-based movement.
Para ice hockey follows the same objective as regular hockey (score goals), but 5 structural differences define the sport:
1. Sleds, not skates — Athletes sit in metal-framed sleds on two skate blades. The sled provides a low centre of gravity and stability, but also means less agility and shorter stopping distances than upright skating.
2. Two sticks, not one — Each player carries two short sticks (~1 meter each). The spiked butt end digs into the ice for propulsion; the bladed end handles the puck. Switching between propulsion and puck control happens in fractions of a second.
3. Shorter periods — 3 × 15 minutes (not 3 × 20), because sled propulsion via T-push is intensely demanding on the upper body, far more so than skating on legs.
4. Unique penalties — Teeing (ramming with the sled front) and charging (building sled momentum for a collision) have no regular hockey equivalent. These exist because the metal sled can amplify dangerous contact in ways a standing body cannot.
5. One classification — All athletes compete in a single class regardless of their specific lower-body impairment. See our Paralympic Classification guide for how classification works across all winter sports.
| Element | Ice Hockey | Para Ice Hockey |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Skating on feet | Sled propelled by spiked sticks (T-push) |
| Sticks | 1 stick (~1.5m) | 2 short sticks (~1m each, dual-purpose) |
| Periods | 3 × 20 min | 3 × 15 min |
| Team on Ice | 6 (5 + goalie) | 6 (5 + goalie) |
| Unique Penalties | Standard hockey penalties only | Teeing, charging with sled, illegal sled contact |
| Classification | None | One class (lower body impairment) |
Scoring follows standard hockey principles — but with adjusted game length:
Goals: A goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. Each goal counts as one point. The team with the most goals at the end of regulation wins.
Periods: Games consist of 3 periods of 15 minutes each (compared to 3 × 20 minutes in regular hockey). The shorter periods account for the intense physical demands of sled propulsion.
Overtime: If the score is tied after regulation, a 5-minute overtime period is played. In elimination-round games, overtime continues in sudden-death format until a goal is scored.
Penalty shots / Shootout: If overtime doesn't resolve the tie in preliminary rounds, a shootout determines the winner (each team gets 3 attempts, alternating one-on-one against the goalie).
Assists: Up to two assists are awarded on each goal, same as regular hockey.
Power play: When a team receives a penalty, they play shorthanded (usually 4 vs 5) for the duration of the penalty — 2 minutes for a minor penalty, 5 minutes for a major.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Goals | Puck crosses goal line = 1 point |
| Periods | 3 × 15 minutes (vs 3 × 20 in regular hockey) |
| Overtime | 5-minute sudden death period |
| Players on Ice | 6 per team (5 skaters + 1 goalie) |
| Penalties | Minor (2 min), Major (5 min), Misconduct (10 min) |
| Shootout | 3 attempts per team if overtime is tied |
Para ice hockey equipment is some of the most specialised in all of Paralympic sport:
The Sled — A metal frame mounted on two standard ice hockey skate blades set slightly apart (just wide enough for the puck to pass underneath). The sled features a moulded bucket seat with straps and a backrest to secure the athlete. Sleds are custom-fitted to each player's body, with the seat positioning the player approximately 15 cm above the ice. The low centre of gravity makes sledging stable but also means collisions happen at a different angle and force profile than in regular hockey.
Two Sticks — Each player carries two short sticks (approximately 1 meter long, compared to the single ~1.5m stick in regular hockey). Each stick is dual-purpose:
Switching between propulsion and puck handling happens in fractions of a second. A player might be spiking the ice at full speed, then instantly flip the stick to receive a pass and shoot.
Goalie Equipment — The goalie sits in a wider sled with a lower profile. Instead of two sticks, goalies typically use a trapper (catching glove) on one hand and a blocker/stick on the other — adapted for the seated position. The goalie's leg pads are replaced by sled skirt padding that covers the front of the sled.
Para ice hockey has several penalties that don't exist in regular hockey, all stemming from the unique dynamics of sled-based play:
Teeing — Using the front of the sled as a battering ram to hit an opponent. Named because the front of the sled forms a "T" shape when viewed from above. This is one of the most dangerous fouls in the sport because it directs the metal frame of the sled directly into the opponent's body at full force. Teeing results in a major penalty (5 minutes) and may include a game misconduct.
Charging (with sled) — Building deliberate speed and momentum before initiating a sled-to-sled collision. In regular hockey, charging involves skating speed. In para ice hockey, the combined weight of sled and athlete can amplify the impact force significantly. Charging is typically a minor penalty (2 minutes) but can be upgraded to a major if deemed particularly dangerous.
Illegal sled-to-sled contact — Making contact with an opponent's sled in a way that disrupts their balance or movement illegally. The distinction from legal body checking is based on the angle of contact, the use of the sled as a weapon, and whether the puck was in play.
Holding/Hooking with the sled — Using the sled to pin or trap an opponent against the boards or on the ice. Because sleds are lower and wider than a standing body, this type of interference is uniquely possible in para ice hockey.
Yes — para ice hockey at the Paralympic level is a mixed-gender sport. There is no separate women's tournament; men and women compete together on the same teams. Classification requires a significant impairment affecting the lower body that prevents playing regular ice hockey — common impairments include amputation, paraplegia, and other conditions affecting leg function.
Historically, rosters have been predominantly male, but female participation is growing. Several national teams now include women, and World Para Ice Hockey is actively working to increase gender diversity in the sport.
For a complete overview of classification systems across all Paralympic winter sports, see our Paralympic Classification Explained guide.
Para ice hockey gameplay has a unique tactical character that distinguishes it from the regular game:
Pace — Movement is slower than regular ice hockey (T-push propulsion cannot match the skating speed of able-bodied players on blades), but the game compensates with more physical contact and tighter positioning. Sleds can't stop as quickly as skaters, so momentum management becomes a key tactical element.
T-push technique — The primary propulsion method, where players drive the spiked ends of both sticks into the ice in alternating thrusts. Elite players develop extraordinary upper body strength and coordination. The sound of spikes hitting ice during a fast break is one of the signature sounds of the sport.
Goalie adaptations — Goalies face unique challenges. They sit lower in their sleds and must rely heavily on lateral sled movement to cover the net. The butterfly technique common in regular hockey is replaced by sled slides and blocker/trapper work. A great para ice hockey goalie needs exceptional reflexes and upper body flexibility.
Puck retrieval — Getting to loose pucks requires a complete switch from propulsion (spikes down) to puck handling (blade down). The fastest transitions win possession battles.
The United States has won 4 consecutive Paralympic gold medals (Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018, Beijing 2022) — a dominance unmatched in any sled sport at the Winter Paralympics.
Several factors explain it:
Depth of roster: The USA draws from the largest domestic para ice hockey league structure in the world, with dozens of club teams continuously producing elite-level talent. The pipeline from youth development to national team is the most developed of any country.
NHL support infrastructure: Several U.S. para ice hockey programs benefit from connections with NHL organisations for development facilities and coaching resources — an advantage that few other national programs have at the same scale.
Declan Farmer effect: Two-time gold medallist Declan Farmer (born with limb deficiencies affecting both legs) has been one of the sport's most dominant players since 2014, with puck skills that translate directly from his background in able-bodied hockey development.
Canada has historically been the closest rival, winning multiple silver medals and regularly contending for gold. South Korea demonstrated rapid development as 2018 hosts. The Milano-Cortina 2026 tournament will again feature these three nations as medal contenders.
Teams: 8 national teams qualify for the tournament.
Preliminary round: Teams are divided into two groups of 4. Each team plays every other team in their group (round-robin). The top teams from each group advance to the knockout stage.
Knockout stage: Quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal games. Single-elimination format with overtime and shootout if needed.
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy.
Schedule: March 7–15, 2026. Preliminary round games run daily through the first week, with the medal games in the final days.
The USA are the reigning champions, having won 4 consecutive gold medals (2010–2022). Canada are perennial contenders with multiple silver medals. South Korea showed rapid development as 2018 hosts and remains a consistent medal contender.
For the complete overview of all Paralympic winter sports, see our Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic hub.