The 2010 Winter Paralympics, or the tenth Paralympic Winter Games, were held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada from March 12 to 21, 2010. The opening ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler Medals Plaza.
Sledge hockey, also known as Sled hockey in American English, and Para ice hockey in international competition, is an adaptation of ice hockey for players who have a physical disability. The sport was invented in the early 1960s at a rehabilitation centre in Stockholm, Sweden, and played under similar rules to standard ice hockey. Players are seated on sleds and use special hockey sticks with metal "teeth" on the tips of their handles to navigate the ice. Playing venues use an ice hockey rink.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland competed at the 2006 Winter Paralympics held in Turin, Italy. The team was known by it shortened name of Great Britain, for identification purposes.
The 2008 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships was the fourth IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships held between March 29, 2008, and April 5, 2008, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States, at the New England Sports Center. Organized by Massachusetts Hockey in co-operation with US Paralympics, around 200 athletes from ten countries participated in the 10-team round robin tournament which featured two divisions: six teams in group A and four teams in group B.
The 2000 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships was the second IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships held between March 20, 2000 and March 25, 2000 at the E Center in West Valley City, Utah, United States.The same place where would host the same sport two years later as the first test event for the Paralympic Winter Games in 2002. Participating countries: Canada, Estonia, Japan, Norway, Sweden and United States.
The Winter Paralympic Games is an international multi-sport event where athletes with physical disabilities compete in snow and ice sports. The event includes athletes with mobility impairments, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy. The Winter Paralympic Games are held every four years directly following the Winter Olympic Games and hosted in the same city. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) oversees the Games. Medals are awarded in each event: with gold for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third, following the tradition that the Olympic Games began in 1904.
The United States sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A total of 50 U.S. competitors took part in all five sports. The American delegation included five former members of the U.S. military, including a veteran of the Iraq War and a veteran of the War in Afghanistan.
Norway sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A total of 27 Norwegian athletes competed in four disciplines; the only sport Norway did not compete in is alpine skiing.
Sweden sent 24 competitors to compete in all five disciplines at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Japan sent 42 competitors to compete in all five disciplines at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver.
Joseph "Momo" Howard is an ice sledge hockey player from United States. Howard lost both of his legs at the age of 15. In 1982, he was introduced to ice sledge hockey, and competed in his first Winter Paralympics at the 1998. At those games, the USA came in seventh place but Howard set a record with six goals in one match. At the 2002 Winter Paralympics, Howard contributed with three points in a 5–1 defeat of Canada. In the gold medal game, After an overtime shootout victory, the Americans prevailed defeating defending champions Norway 4–3. Going undefeated (6-0), outscoring opponents 26–6 in the tournament. Joe was named MVP of the gold medal game. Scoring three goals and adding one assist. He was named a first team all-star. Howard's hard-fought first-place finish was extra special. He fulfilled a promise he made to his mother, who was unable to attend as she was ill with cancer, by winning the Gold. Following the USA's victory over Estonia, he proposed to his girlfriend of five years Carol Tribuna on the center of the rink. He took part in the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, where USA won gold. Going undefeated and not allowing a goal during the tournament, outscoring their opponents 19–0, They beat Japan 2–0 in the final. Howard had both assists, and helped earn his second Paralympic Gold Medal
Niklas Ingvarsson is a Swedish ice sledge hockey player. He plays for FIFH Malmö, and his leg was amputated aged 18, after he suffered from leukemia as a 10-year-old.
Bradley Bowden is a Canadian ice sledge hockey and wheelchair basketball player.
Gregory Westlake is a Canadian ice sledge hockey player.
Billy Bridges is a Canadian ice sledge hockey and wheelchair basketball player. Born in Summerside, he has spina bifida. On July 1, 2011, Bridges married former Olympic women's ice hockey player Sami Jo Small. He competed at the 2022 Winter Paralympics, in Para ice hockey winning a silver medal.
Graeme Murray is a Canadian ice sledge hockey player. He contracted a virus when he was three, which spread to his spinal cord, causing paralysis.
Patrick McDonald is an American wheelchair curler based in Madison, Wisconsin.
Manuel Guerra Jr. is an American former ice sledge hockey player. He won medals with Team USA at the 2002 Winter Paralympics and 2006 Winter Paralympics.
Geir Arne Skogstad is a Norwegian wheelchair curler and ice sledge hockey player.
Lene Tystad is a Norwegian wheelchair curler and ice sledge speed racer.