Paralympics Sled Hockey Documentary to Air on PBS

• By Cindy Horbrook
• Feb 21, 2014

 

The Winter Olympics in Sochi may be coming to an end soon, but that means the start of the Paralympics are just a couple weeks away.

And if you just can’t wait until March 7 for the start of the Paralympics, you can get some pre-games coverage by checking out “Ice Warriors: USA Sled Hockey” on Monday, February 24, airing at 10 p.m. ET on PBS.

The one-hour documentary, which profiles the United States Paralympics Sled (sledge) Hockey team, will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look as the team defends their 2010 gold medal and prepares for the 2014 games. Similar to “standup” hockey, the fast-moving sled version pits players against each other at eye level with their sticks, their sharp sled runners and the serrated ice picks used to propel their sleds.

The documentary also highlights the players, including military veterans, a rookie 15-year-old making his team debut, the team’s 35-year-old captain and two high school friends injured in the same car accident who went through rehab and tryouts together.

The film’s executive producer, Judith Vechhione, says she’s excited to show the inspiring achievements of the athletes. “Ice Warriors will challenge preconceptions and assumptions about the capabilities of people with disabilities and help celebrate the contributions that Paralympians make to sports and to their countries,” she said in a news announcement.