Hype builds for Utah’s first sled hockey team
Sep 27, 2024, 9:00 AM | Updated: 3:19 pm
Hope Bevilhymer, a goalie with the Utah Grizzlies sled hockey team, stops a shot during a team practice at the Olympic Oval in Kearns Sunday December 21, 2003. Bevilhymer is starting a non-profit organization that collects used prosthetics to send to third-world countries. (Jeremy Harmon, submission date: 12/21/2003)
(Jeremy Harmon, submission date: 12/21/2003)
PARK CITY, Utah – The excitement surrounding Utah Hockey Club is also boosting the state’s first-ever sled hockey team.
For the uninitiated, sled hockey allows disabled hockey players to get on the ice courtesy of a specialized ice chair, or “sled.”
Utah Sled Hockey team’s goalie, Dave Nichols has been instrumental for the team’s growth.
“This seemed like the perfect time to get things rolling with sled hockey in the state” he said. “This was the time to rock and roll!”
According to Nichols, the team has set some new goals. They hope to attend several district-level tournaments. Additionally, if funding holds, they’d like to attend at least one national tournament.
In total, it’ll cost the team at least $100,000.
Weekend sled hockey team fundraiser
To help cover the cost, Utah Sled Hockey Team is hosting the state’s first-ever sled hockey tournament. The games start Friday, Sept. 27. Eight other sled teams from the Western states will be competing. The headline event is an all-star game, and players will be joined by members of the Utah Grizzlies trying their hand on the sleds.
Nichols is said he is beyond grateful for everyone who has supported Utah Sled Hockey up to this point.
You can learn more about the team on their website.
Michael Camit is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio.
