Josh Smith, sled hockey coach, pushes Collin Booher around in a special apparatus designed for sled hockey at the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Josh Smith has enjoyed ice hockey his entire life and now has found a way to give back to the sport that he loves.
Every week at the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena, Smith teaches sled hockey, which is an adaptation of ice hockey that uses an open frame sled designed for players to sit on and move on the ice.
Sled hockey is a sport for kids and adults with physical disabilities.
Smith, who is the Ice Operation Manager at Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena, started up sled hockey about six months ago and said anyone can join, and no experience is necessary. Sled hockey practices from 5 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday, and it goes year-round. Each session costs $10. Smith also added that anyone can practice outside of practice time if the ice rink is available.
“It’s all been learning it and trying it for the first time,” Smith said. “Anyone is welcome to come and practice, and we’ve got the sleds.”
All of the equipment is provided, including the sleds. Smith said they obtained the funding needed for the sleds, each of which costs around $700.
Smith said he and some helpers push some of the sleds if a person can’t push the sled themselves. For the most part, Smith said they are learning the fundamentals and the basics of hockey.
One person that just picked up sled hockey is Collin Booher. Oct. 6 was his second time on the sled. He previously went on a sled during a trial run when a group from Indianapolis came to Columbus. When the grant passed, they were able to equip Booher with a sled.
When Booher came to try out the sled, it didn’t disappoint him. He had so much fun that he wants to come on Tuesdays and whenever he has the time during the week. He also added that he wants to see the Columbus Icemen play hockey this season.
“It was awesome,” Booher exclaimed.
Smith, who played minor league hockey, said it’s great that he can interact with new people and to get other people interested in the sport.
“My goal every day is to get someone involved in hockey every day and grow the sport, whether it’s here or anywhere,” Smith said. “I want kids to enjoy the sport and grow, and it could even be an adult that wants to play for the first time just to help grow the sport. That’s what I want to do at the end of the day. I feel like if one person because of me starts playing hockey and to keep them away from bad stuff and keep them busy, is just helping and doing what I can to feel like I have a purpose.”
