After holding invitation-only tryouts, USA Hockey has officially named the Men’s Sled Hockey National Team.
Proud to introduce the 2021 U.S. National Sled Team roster! 🇺🇸
Details → https://t.co/38dg5FgXcv pic.twitter.com/431DJ6sti5
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 22, 2021
The National Team comes together with a wealth of international competition experience. Each of the 17 players on the roster has competed in the World Championships and/or the Paralympics. Captain Josh Pauls and goaltender Steve Cash have both won three Paralympic gold medals.
Previous experience is not a guarentee when it comes to earning a roster spot each new season. USA Hockey’s sled program boasts not only top talent but also a development program producing real competition for coveted national team spots.
Seven of the seventeen players on the 2021 roster have a Nashville connection, living and training right here in Middle Tennessee. Forwards Brody Roybal, Declan Farmer, Joseph Woodke, Josh Hargis, Josh Misiewicz, and Travis Dodson, as well as defender Jack Wallace, train here.
For anyone with the misconception that international sled hockey (also called para hockey or sledge hockey) is a slower, safer, gentler version of traditional stand-up hockey, here is a preview for the World Championships coming up in June:
The USA team will head to Ostrava, Czech Republic June 19-26 to defend their 2019 gold medal.