Welcome to the Ontario Sledge Hockey Association

Newsflash

2012/2013 League Champions Crowned.  On Saturday April 6, 2013 the 2012/2013 League Champions were crowned in an awesome display of Sledge Hockey.   The "C" Division started the games off with a nail-biter of a game where Durham/Markham prevailed over Sudbury 1-0, scoring the lone goal with just a couple minutes left in the third period.  The development league followed with Halton-Peel winning by a score of 6-3 over Sarnia.  The "B" Division then saw London win in a shoot-out over North Bay 3-2, and Mississauga take the "A" Division crown overcoming Durham in overtime 2-1.  Congratulations to all participants for the formidable showing of sledge hockey prowess, and to the champions an extra salute for capping off a great season

The Ontario Sledge Hockey Association (OSHA) is the governing body for sledge hockey in Ontario, representing over 20 clubs and 400 plus players located across most of Ontario. It is a registered nonprofit organization, an associate member of the Ontario Hockey Federation and a member of Hockey Canada.

OSHA runs three regular season leagues, Junior Sledge Development, Intermediate and Premier, offering competitive and development opportunities to players at all levels of play from beginner to elite. In addition OSHA runs Sledge Team Ontario (STO) in conjunction with the Quest for Gold government funded program for the development of elite sledge hockey players.

OSHA, in its role as Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) for sledge hockey, coordinates and organizes sledge hockey participation in the Ontario Parasport Winter Games (OPWG) and the Ontario Winter Games (OWG).

OSHA sanctions two major sledge hockey tournaments each year: one in Mississauga in November and one in London in January. These tournaments have attracted teams from across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

OSHA also holds coaches training and accreditation clinics, clinics for on-ice referees, and demonstration and player development clinics. OSHA is also instrumental in developing the sport through participation in committees and providing input and expertise to programs being developed across Canada.

OSHA’s Mission, Vision and Value Statements reflect the organization’s dedication and commitment to the ongoing development of players and of the sport.

What is Sledge Hockey?

Sledge Hockey is an exciting sport for people with special needs. The same rules are followed as in ice hockey, with six players on the ice, including a goalie. Players sit on a sledge, which is a narrow platform with skate blades attached to the bottom, and propel themselves using two specially constructed hockey sticks that have picks on the end. Players wear full hockey gear and are strapped onto the sledges. The sledges can be adapted to meet the individual needs of each player.

Major differences from stand-up hockey:

While Hockey Canada rules apply, there are some rule variations and changes made necessary by the nature of the game and the players who participate, such as:

* hockey sticks are about 1/3 the length of a regulation hockey stick with picks on the ends

* the players' benches in most arenas are inaccessible. The players sit on the ice along the boards in front of the benches between the blue line and red line. For penalties, the players sit in the semi-circle in front of the penalty box.