On Saturday night 13 men and women gathered at Lakeview Arena in Marquette to compete for gold in Sled Hockey.
The sport is inclusive to those with lower body disabilities, allowing it to get anyone and everyone in the game. Allen Beauchamp was in an accident in 2010 where he lost the ability to walk, the accident also took a part of his identity.
“I played hockey all my life,” remarked Beauchamp.
6 years after his accident, Beauchamp was told by a professor at NMU about the sport of Sled Hockey, a clear way for him to get back on the ice playing the sport he always had.
“I was like, I’m not really sure about the sport, I know a little bit about it,” Beauchamp said he told the Professor.
Beauchamp was put in contact with a sled hockey team in Grand Rapids. They had a large program and could teach him how to play and spread awareness about the sport.
“I went down there in 2016 and tried [Sled Hockey] for the first time and fell in love with hockey all over again, then I brought it up to Marquette,” added Beauchamp.
Bringing the sport to Marquette is an understatement, over the past 8 years the sled cats hockey team has been holding practices and scrimmages a few times a month.Players of all ages and skill levels take the ice.
“There’s a few people that are learning the rules, but they’ll get the hang of it,” commented Beauchamp.
2 players, Jim Bennet and Parker Burt, have been playing with the sled cats since they were in grade school. Jim is almost 17 now and competes around the state in Sled Hockey competitions.
“If you are not able to play regular hockey it gives you a good chance to experience it,” said Bennet.
For Beauchamp, introducing them to sport is one of the many accomplishments his program has under its belt. The Sled Cats are always looking for new players no matter what their skill level is. To learn more about joining the team visit here. Or email allenbeauchamp@charter.net.
