Technique, power, strategy and teamwork: Para Ice Hockey will be spectacular in Milano Cortina 2026
Extremely technical, capable of combining power and explosiveness to provide exciting matches for fans and enthusiasts. Since its beginnings at the Lillehammer 1994 Paralympics, thanks to a mix of passion, excitement and pucks flying at over 130 km/h, the world has discovered the irresistible appeal of Para Ice Hockey, a staple of the Olympic Winter Games.
A relatively young sport, with a fascinating history: let's discover it together!
From Sweden with fury
Para ice hockey dates back to the 1960s, when two Swedish men who refused to stop playing hockey despite their physical disabilities designed a special sledge to allow the puck to slide around easily.
This dynamic and erratic sport grew in popularity and by 1969, Stockholm had a five-team championship including players with physical disabilities and non-disabled players. That same year, the Swedish capital hosted the first international Para ice hockey game between a local club team and one from Oslo, Norway.
In the 1970s, teams from these two Countries faced off at least twice a year. Many other Countries began forming teams, including Great Britain (1981), Canada (1982), the United States (1990), Estonia and Japan (1993).
The first Olympic Games and the début at Lillehammer 1994
The Paralympic début took place in 1976, when two Swedish teams played an exhibition match at the Paralympic Winter Games in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. From that moment on, several nations developed their first teams of what was still called ice sledge hockey. Sledge hockey was introduced at the Winter Paralympics in 1994. Sweden, the inventor of the discipline, won the first gold medal, officially kicking off sledge hockey’s golden age.
On November 30, 2016, the International Paralympic Committee announced that the sport would now be referred to as ‘Para ice hockey’. As a result, its governing body was renamed World Para Ice Hockey.
Helge Bjornstad, Norway and Jens Kask, Sweden, Para Ice Hockey, Paralympic Winter Games Lillehammer 1994
The United States lead the medals table
Fun fact: although the Swedes invented this sport, the Nordic Country is not the one boasting the higher number of medals. Indeed, the United States lead the Paralympics Para ice hockey medal rankings: 6 medals won, including 5 gold and 1 bronze. Canada holds the same number of total medals, although with only 1 gold, in addition to 3 silver and 2 bronze medals. Norway closes the podium with 5 medals (1 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze). What about Sweden? It is off the podium with 3 medals: the inaugural gold in 1994 and 2 bronze medals.
The formidable Josh Pauls, superstitious leader
Josh Pauls is undoubtedly one of the sport’s strongest athletes ever, as proven by his record-breaking four gold medals. The American athlete beat the previous record made by his compatriot Steve Cash (3 gold and 1 bronze), active from 2006 until PyeongChang 2018.
So, what is Pauls' secret? Maybe... superstition. Pauls is very superstitious and can often be seen focusing on a picture of a puppet before each game. If the US win, many of Pauls' rituals, such as wearing the same tank top and throwing a tennis ball with team-mate Greg Shaw, remain the same.
Josh Pauls, USA, Para Ice Hockey, Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022
In Milano Cortina, the spectacle of an increasingly inclusive sport
Why are we talking about male and female athletes? Because, since 2010, Para ice hockey has been a mixed gender event! At the moment, three women have competed at the Paralympics: Britt Mjaasund Øyen from Norway was the first in Lillehammer 1994, Lena Schroeder (also from Norway), took to the ice in PyeongChang 2018, and finally, China's Jing Yu participated in Beijing 2022.
In short: how many more reasons do you need to rush to Milan to see this exciting show live?
Andrea Chiarotti, Gian Cavaliere and Gianluigi Rosa, Italy, Para Ice Hockey, Paralympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010
