The International Paralympic Committee is an international non-profit organisation and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and functions as the international federation for nine sports. Founded on 22 September 1989 in Düsseldorf, West Germany, its mission is to "enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world". Furthermore, the IPC wants to promote the Paralympic values and to create sport opportunities for all persons with a disability, from beginner to elite level.
Sledge hockey is an adaptation of ice hockey designed for players who have a physical disability. 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 3rd IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships was held between April 13, 2004 and April 24, 2004 at Kempehallen in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Örnsköldsvik was also the host of the first Paralympic Winter Games in 1976. Participating countries: 104 athletes from eight nations Canada, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Norway, Sweden, United States. The USA, Norway and Sweden were automatically qualified for their performance at the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games, while the other five teams were selected through regional championships.
The first IPC Ice Sledge Hockey European Championships was held between April 10, 2005 and April 16, 2005 in the eastern Moravian city of Zlín, Czech Republic. Participating 80 athletes from six nations: Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Sweden. The best European team joined the already qualified teams from Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the USA and host country Italy to the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games.
The Winter Paralympic Games is an international multi-sport event where athletes with physical disabilities compete in snow and ice sports. This includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy. The Winter Paralympic Games are held every four years directly following the Winter Olympic Games. The Winter Paralympics are also hosted by the city that hosted the Winter Olympics. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) oversees the Winter Paralympics. Medals are awarded in each event: with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, following the tradition that the Olympic Games started in 1904.
The ice sledge hockey competition of the 2010 Winter Paralympics was held at the UBC Winter Sports Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from 13 March to 20 March 2010.
Matthew Lloyd is a British Paralympian who was born with spina bifida and two club feet. He has competed in ice sledge hockey at the 2006 Winter Paralympics, in Sitting volleyball at the 2007 European Championships, and is credited with inventing the sport of Inline sledge hockey. He was born in Crawley, Sussex but grew up in Rainhill, Merseyside and later resided in Hollym, East Riding of Yorkshire. After completing a degree in Business Information Systems, Lloyd worked within the music industry, firstly as a journalist and then within the A&R department of a major record label, before going to work extensively within the sports and leisure sectors.
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.
Taylor Chace is an American ice sledge hockey player.
The Canada national ice sledge hockey team represents Canada at international competition. The team has been overseen since 2003 by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. From 1993 until 2003, the team was an associate member of Hockey Canada. Since 2010 international para ice hockey has been a mixed event but Team Canada has yet to name a female player to its roster for any tournament.
Bradley Bowden is a Canadian ice sledge hockey and wheelchair basketball player.
Kelsey DiClaudio is an athlete that participates in women's ice sledge hockey. A member of the United States women's national ice sledge hockey team, she competed in the first-ever IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Women's International Cup in 2014. Prior to competing with the national women's team, DiClaudio competed with men on the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins.
Erica Mitchell is a women's ice sledge hockey player that compete for the United States women's national ice sledge hockey team. Of note, she was named the captain for the US at the inaugural IPC Ice Sledge Hockey International Women's Cup, which saw the team capture the gold medal. Back in 2007, she had tried out for the United States national men's ice sledge hockey team.
The Canada national women's ice sledge hockey team is the ice sledge hockey team representing Canada. The team participated in its first IPC-sanctioned international competition in 2014.
Ashley Goure is an athlete that participates in women's ice sledge hockey. A member of the Canada women's national ice sledge hockey team since 2006, she competed in the first-ever IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Women's International Cup in 2014.
Peggy Assinck is a Canadian ice sledge hockey athlete and neuroscientist. She competed in the inaugural IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Women's International Cup in 2014.
Christina Picton is an athlete that participates in women's ice sledge hockey. A member of the Canada women's national ice sledge hockey team since 2006. Picton served as the captain of the national team during the 2014-15 season.
Tuyet Morris Yurczyszyn is an athlete that participates in women's ice sledge hockey. A member of the Canada women's national ice sledge hockey team since 2012, she competed in the first-ever IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Women's International Cup in 2014.
Danica McPhee is an athlete participating in women's ice sledge hockey. A member of the Canada women's national ice sledge hockey team since 2014, she competed in the first-ever IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Women's International Cup in 2014.
Christy Gardner is an athlete that participates in women's ice sledge hockey. A member of the United States women's national ice sledge hockey team, she competed in the first-ever IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Women's International Cup in 2014. Prior to competing with the national women’s team, Gardner served in the United States Armed Forces.
United States 
