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From Sleds to Scoring — Rules, Equipment & What Makes It Different
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 was invented in Stockholm, Sweden in the 1960s at a rehabilitation center, where athletes with lower body disabilities adapted the game of hockey by mounting sleds on skate blades. Originally called "sledge hockey," the sport was renamed "para ice hockey" by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as part of a broader movement to standardize naming across Paralympic sports.
The sport entered the Paralympic program at the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, and has grown in popularity ever since. At Milano-Cortina 2026, 8 national teams compete in the tournament held at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. 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.
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. The opposing team is on a "power play" with the extra player.
| 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 specialized 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 molded bucket seat with straps and a backrest to secure the athlete. Sleds are custom-fitted to each player's body, with the seat height positioning the player approximately 15 cm above the ice. The low center of gravity makes sledging stable but also means collisions happen at a much lower angle 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 — similar to regular goalies but adapted for the seated position. The goalie's leg pads are replaced by sled skirt padding that covers the front of the sled.
| Element | Ice Hockey | Para Ice Hockey |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Skating on feet | Sled propelled by spiked sticks |
| 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 | Teeing, charging with sled, illegal sled contact |
| Classification | None | One class (lower body impairment) |
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. Teeing results in a major penalty (5 minutes) and may include a game misconduct.
Charging (with sled) — Building deliberate speed/momentum before initiating a sled-to-sled collision. In regular hockey, charging exists but involves skating speed. In para ice hockey, the weight and momentum of the sled amplifies the 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. This is different from legal body checking (which is allowed). The distinction 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.
Like wheelchair curling, para ice hockey uses a single classification: athletes must have a significant impairment affecting their lower body that prevents them from playing regular ice hockey. Common impairments include amputation, paraplegia, and other conditions affecting leg function.
Gender inclusion — Para ice hockey at the Paralympic level has historically been a mixed-gender sport, though rosters have been predominantly male. The IPC and World Para Ice Hockey are actively working to increase female participation, with several national teams now featuring women on their rosters. There is no separate women's tournament at 2026; all athletes compete in one unified tournament.
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 (no one can 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.
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 tournament typically features traditional powerhouses like USA, Canada, South Korea, and host nation Italy. South Korea has been particularly dominant in recent Paralympics, while the USA and Canada maintain their status as perennial contenders.