Sled Hockey Combine: Inspiring Athletes with Abilities

HIGHLIGHTS

This past summer, I had the privilege of attending the annual MN Boundary Waters Sled Hockey Combine, a week-long camp designed for athletes with differing abilities, ages 8-22. The camp offers a variety of activities, including on-ice skill development, inspiring keynote speakers, guidance on nutrition and exercise, a fishing tournament, a canoe trip through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), and nightly bonfires for athletes and their families to enjoy.

The next morning, I arrived at 7:30 a.m. to a bustling dining hall full of young hockey players. Heaps of fruit, eggs, and sausage filled the serving table, while laughter and the sound of clinking dishes filled the air.

Outside, near the beach, a small group of campers had gathered. What instantly struck me was how much they were just a bunch of kids enjoying each other’s company. Two campers pushed a third in a wheelchair up a small incline. Once at the top, they turned him around and gave him a gentle push, sending him down the hill to squeals of excitement with a bunch of kids in hot pursuit. The campers had various differences, whether physical or cognitive—some were in wheelchairs, others were single or double amputees. But at their core, they were all the same: fun-loving, young kids. They played, laughed, and goofed around until the area became crowded with the watchful eyes of well-meaning parents.

As the kids played, the parents fretted about the upcoming canoe trip: “What about the wheelchair? Where will they eat? How will I know they’re okay? Can I go with you?”

With patience and care, families and campers received their final safety briefing, along with a strong dose of encouragement from their leaders. The canoeing trip would need teamwork, trust, and leadership. Help would always be available, but the adults would only step in if the campers requested assistance. This journey would be challenging, but they had already faced far harder ones.

“Being disabled should not mean being disqualified from having access to every aspect of life.”

Emma Thompson

The next step was to load all eight canoes, which had been borrowed from a local outfitter. Each canoe was to hold four campers, and everyone was given a paddle, expected to contribute. Slowly, the campers made their way down the steep slope of grass and sand toward the water. Their only concern came when they had to leave their wheelchairs on the beach. They double- and triple-checked their backpacks, ensuring they had everything they needed before pushing off, pointing northeast, and starting their journey. Spirits were high as they paddled gracefully through the water toward their destination.

Four pontoons followed the canoes for support and supervision. I had the privilege of riding on a pontoon filled with about a dozen wheelchairs. Our job was to follow the first canoe to the portage stop, unload the wheelchairs one at a time, and then wait offshore until we were needed again. The athletes took turns beaching their canoes, helping each other up to the hiking path lined with beautiful pine trees. They trekked along the worn dirt path to the next lake, then turned around to return to their canoes for the final leg of the trip—a bag lunch and a 7-mile paddle back to camp, against the wind.

I watched from the shore as the canoes began to return to camp. Our pontoon was the first to arrive, as we needed the wheelchairs ready for the campers’ return. One by one, the canoes beached, and the campers collected their wheelchairs and personal items before heading back to their cabins.

One of the most memorable moments of the day was when a professional athlete joined the campers. As a part of the hockey combine, everyone was excited to have an NHL player join the canoe adventure and speak after supper that evening. This 28-year-old, humble and kind, with a bright smile, had just signed a four-year, $40 million deal. When his canoe returned to camp, everyone was eager to hear how the trip went. It had been a beautiful day, with popcorn clouds in the sky and a brisk northeast headwind, making the return trip a challenge for all the canoes. Without missing a beat, the athlete said, “Wow, that was quite a workout!” The differently abled athletes, nonetheless, remained silent.

Watching the canoe trip unfold that day put a lot of things into perspective for me.

It made me realize:

How easy my life is
How many people struggle to do the things I take for granted
How often I complain about things I shouldn’t

It was truly inspiring to witness my client’s work.