Is it sledge hockey or para ice hockey? Depends on who you ask
TORONTO — Greg Westlake has been telling people since 2003 that he plays sledge hockey. Now he’s not sure what to say when people ask about his sport.
Six months ago the International Paralympic Committee made a decision to rebrand the 10 sports it governs. The changes, which officially came into effect Nov. 30, 2016, mean that Westlake’s sport is no longer to be recognized globally as sledge hockey.
He now plays para ice hockey and is currently participating at the first official world para ice hockey championship, in Gangneung, South Korea.
But Westlake, who’s been the Canadian national team captain since 2010, wonders if rebranding is beneficial for his sport after pushing the old name for so long. The sport made its Paralympic debut at the 1994 Lillehammer Games as sledge hockey.