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Fairchild Airmen help kick off Sled Hockey tourney

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho --  Airmen traveled to the Frontier Ice Arena here, from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, to raise their sticks in an unlikely exhibition match against a star-studded team of sled hockey players Sept. 23.

The game kicked off the regional two-day tournament, which featured sled hockey teams from Montana, Washington, Texas and Idaho, and included firefighters from the nearby Kootenai County Fire Department.

Sled hockey is a sport designed for athletes with physical disabilities. Specialized gear allows them to play the game of ice hockey with some slight modifications; it is one of the most popular sports in the Winter Paralympic Games.

Instead of ice skates on their feet, the athletes are outfitted with sleds and short hockey sticks with metal “teeth.” The teeth allow for traction on the ice and propels the players in the direction of their choice.

“Having such a great relationship with like-minded groups, such as the Fairchild’s Men's Varsity Hockey team, is amazing and allows all the athletes to have a bit of fun and friendly competition before the tournament,” said Mark Jones, the tournament organizer. “For our veterans and adaptive sport participants, the sheer thrill of knowing they are playing an able-bodied, active-duty Air Force hockey team becomes a cherished memory.

“Together we have created an opportunity in making lasting memories for our adaptive sport athletes,” Jones added.

This is the third year that the Fairchild Falcons Hockey team has participated in the tournament.

“We are honored and humbled that (the Inland Northwest Disabled Veterans Sports Association) invited us over to play again,” said Master Sgt. Richard Ortega, Fairchild AFB Varsity Hockey Team president. “Some of the guys playing are veterans; it was great to hear some of the stories they were willing to share with us about their own experience in the military.”

Veteran players like Sean Halstead, a former combat controller who fractured a vertebrae falling 40 feet from a helicopter while fast roping, participated in the event. Halstead, who was featured in the Air Force’s “Veteran in Blue” this year, (Click here for the write up) did not allow his circumstance to define him and has continued to make strides in Paralympic sporting events since 2006.

The all-star lineup made up of players from all the participating teams demolished the Fairchild Falcons 14-4.

“I don't think we can ever be prepared to play this style of hockey, we just aren’t use to the equipment or techniques needed to be able to play at their level,” said Ortega. “We had a blast and lots of laughs trying.”

The tournament ended with the Texas team taking home the coveted “Squachy Cup,” which was a trophy made to look like the hairy leg of a Big Foot.

If you want to see the Fairchild Falcons in their top form, they will join about 35 other hockey teams at the Armed Services Hockey Tournament in Las Vegas, Nov. 10-13.