When one thinks of hockey, they may think the traditional way to play – two feet on skates. However, sled hockey is another possibility, unexplored by those in the Northland.

Sled hockey made its way to the Northland this weekend, with plenty of players in buckets, and trying out a new sport.

President of Minnnesota Sled Hockey, Jason Smock, thinks the sport can be the future.

“Our mission is to bring hockey to as many players that want to play as possible,” said Smock. “Sled hockey is centered on any player that can’t play typical stand-up hockey. It’s to put players in buckets on ice, and we’re going a long way towards that.”

The sport is most commonly played by those who can’t play stand up hockey for whatever reason. A disability at birth, an accident, or a degenerative condition. Whatever the case may be, it gives those the opportunity to get on the ice and watch pucks fly into the net.

Veterans also make up a big composition of players, which the Minnesota Warriors are trying to facilitate in Duluth.

“For veterans, it’s important to have a program where they can come out and they can get together and they can do some physical activity,” said Chad Daniels with the Warriors. “This physical activity we found out through our Warriors Hockey is really important for your mental health. You know, a lot of us veterans struggle with the mental health aspect and being part of a hockey team really helps that.”

The Essential Duluth Heritage Arena was full of people trying sled hockey; veterans, the entire Wayzata boys varsity hockey team, and a free skate opportunity. The theme of the day was the difficulty of the sport.

“You think, “Oh yeah, this is easy.” You get out there and it’s just, it’s absolutely a gas,” said Mike Eales.

“My core hurts. It’s a lot of stomach. You know, it’s a lot of arm work. It’s a lot of stomach work, keeping that thing upright.”

But at the end of the day, there’s a desire for sled hockey to make it’s way up north, in Duluth especially.

“Everybody in the state of hockey plays hockey or knows some of that plays hockey,” said Smock. “If you can’t play stand-up hockey, it’s a whole demographic that can be either on purpose or not excluded for lack of access. So bringing sled hockey to Duluth would open up a whole new sport to a whole new demographic of players and a community.”