April 16, 2010

to

April 18, 2010

Amelia Park Arena in Westfield is proud to announce that they will be hosting the 12th Annual New England Sled Hockey Invitational Tournament from April 16th-18th.

Adult and Junior Divisions, Friday & Saturday, 7am – 11:30pm
Championship games, Sunday from 7am-02:30pm

Attendance to the tournament is FREE and will showcase 200 athletes and coaches from eight states.  Past Paralympian & Current National Team Players from the US will be participating.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this most inspiring event and bringing the great game of sled hockey to the folks of Western MA,” said Albert Ferst, Chairman of the Board of the Amelia Park Arena.  “It is so wonderful to see these athletes of all ages shine.”

The Pioneer Valley will have two teams of their own team participating, the Springfield Sliders, in the junior division, and the Western Mass Knights, in the adult division.  The Sliders, consisting of local patients from Shriners Hospital, and the Knights practice weekly at Amelia Park.

The weekend tournament not only includes competition by athletes but opportunities for fans to interact with the athletes as well.  Informal meet and greets with athletes will take place each day courtesy of Women’s Law Enforcement Association (WLEA).

The New England Sled Hockey Invitational would not be possible without sponsors or volunteers.  If you are interested in being a part of this event, please contact Carole Appleton, Managing Consultant at Amelia Park Ice Arena, at 413-348-6372.

Sled Hockey, or sledge hockey as it is known internationally, is a sport that was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play the game of ice hockey. Sled Hockey was invented in the early 1960s in Stockholm, Sweden at a rehabilitation center. It is currently one of the most popular sports in the Paralympic Games.

Amelia Park Ice Arena is an ice arena/sports complex and memorial garden, financed by Westfield, Massachusetts philanthropist Albert F. Ferst, in memory of his wife Amelia.  The Albert & Amelia Ferst Operating Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit entity, was formed in 1998, with the expressed purpose of building a recreational facility and garden in her memory.