Team Profile: Ice Vets Adaptive Sports
Ice Vets Adaptive Sports is a regional organization that runs adaptive sports for veterans with disabilities, including a sled hockey team. Vermont Amateur Hockey Association lists Ice Vets among the state's sled programs. The organization is based in Vermont (Ice Vets Adaptive Sports Inc., P.O. Box 343, Barre) and works across northern New England.
Who are the Ice Vets?
VSAHA says Ice Vets established a sled hockey team that is a member of USA Hockey and plays a full schedule of practices and games. The organization provides equipment, coaching, and ice time. The listing emphasizes camaraderie: participating in a team sport can restore some of the joy that can be lost when a veteran has a disability.
The main focus is veterans. Ice Vets also volunteer at rinks around the region to help local groups introduce sled hockey to other community members with physical challenges. VSAHA says the group planned to add more adaptive sports for veterans in northern New England.
Vermont Public reported that David Santamore, a former Marine, is a co-founder of the Ice Vets sled hockey team. Coverage of Ice Vets clinics has included James W. Campion III Rink in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Practice and location
Ice Vets do not publish a single home rink on the VSAHA page. Confirm current practice and game sites with the organization. They have appeared at regional rinks and events, including Upper Valley clinics and Vermont gatherings with other local sled teams.
How to get involved
VSAHA lists the Ice Vets site as icevetsadaptivesports.org. That address has been unreliable at times; the statewide listing on vermonthockey.org/sledteams is the most stable public summary of the program.
Vermont's other listed sled programs are the Central Vermont Pioneers, the Vermont Sled Cats, and the North Country Sled Dogs.