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U.S. EWHA First Official News
Release
The United States Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association
(U.S. EWHA) was founded in early 1996. Our mission is to provide
a quality hockey program for persons requiring the use of an electric
wheelchair in their daily life. Electric wheelchair hockey is a
competitive sports opportunity for the physically disabled.
The U.S. EWHA was founded by members of an electric wheelchair
hockey team from Minnesota. Incorporated in Minnesota, our non-profit
status was achieved when Disabled Sports USA approved us as a chapter
member.
The U.S. EWHA established the first organized electric wheelchair
hockey league located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area
in April 1997. Over 32 players (4 teams) competed in a 9 game regular
season. The season finished with all four teams competing in the
playoffs. It is our goal to be the headquarters where others around
the country and world will be informed of rules, tournaments, and
can obtain support in starting their own team or league.
Electric wheelchair hockey is already played in many countries
around the world. A team from Minnesota has played in many tournaments
against teams from all over the world. In 1993 (before the U.S.
EWHA was created) we competed against five countries in a world
tournament in Germany. In 1995 we traveled to Toronto, Ontario to
participate in the Canadian National Championship and in 1996 we
were invited to Calgary, Alberta to compete for the first ever Canada/US
Cup. The U.S. EWHA wants to spread the knowledge of these opportunities
all over the country.
This sport is ideal for male and female participants, requiring
the use of an electric wheelchair. Players do not need assistance
from able-bodied persons during the play of the game. The sport
means total independence and equality. It is hard to think of any
other team sport in which a person in an electric wheelchair can
participate without a great deal of assistance from able-bodied
persons.
Electric wheelchair hockey rules follow the basic rules found in
any hockey league around the country. Off-sides and penalties are
a routine call during the game. Players can serve from 2 to 5 minute
penalties for such things as interference, delay of game, holding,
high sticking and roughing. Unlike other hockey leagues, electric
wheelchair hockey requires a few adaptations to allow everyone to
participate on an equal level. Some adaptations include using hockey
sticks made from light weight plastic materials and a light weight
plastic ball is substituted for the puck.
Electric wheelchair hockey provides the perfect opportunity for
a disabled person to be involved in an organized team sport. If
a participant can not slap the ball hard enough, the momentum of
the wheelchair will provide the physical strength needed to score
the game winning goal! You do not need a formal league to start
playing on a local or even international level. It only takes 6-10
people to form a team. If you practice whenever possible, who knows
who you will be playing against in the future.
If you have any questions or comments about electric wheelchair
hockey, please feel free to Contact
Us.
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