A Trailblazer on the Ice
Erica McKee first laced up a sled hockey skate at nine years old, a moment that would set the stage for a career defined by firsts. She not only became the first woman to earn a spot on the U.S. Men’s Development Sled Hockey Team, but also the inaugural female coach at the USA Hockey Sled Player Development Camp, and a founding member of the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team in 2007.
The recent USA Hockey 2026 Sled Player Development Camp in Columbus drew twelve women, ten of whom are already on the U.S. National Team. Their presence underscores a rapid expansion of the women’s side of the sport, a growth that was highlighted when Team USA captured gold at the inaugural Women’s Para World Championship in 2025.
Beyond medals, sled hockey offers a rare combination of community and competition for athletes who face physical challenges. For many, the rink is more than a venue; it is a place where camaraderie turns into a lifelong support network.
Global Outreach and Future Dreams
Players and staff from the U.S. program have taken their expertise abroad, teaching clinics and sharing strategies to accelerate the sport’s development worldwide. The creation of the Women’s Para Hockey Foundation reflects a coordinated effort to secure funding, especially for international growth, ensuring that talent can flourish beyond domestic borders.
Catherine Faherty, a mainstay on the national team, has witnessed the sport’s evolution from its early days to the present surge, noting that the global pipeline is now a critical factor in meeting the International Paralympic Committee’s criteria for a 2030 Paralympic inclusion.
A New Generation
Stories like that of Rebecca Mann, a former U.S. Army soldier injured in Afghanistan, illustrate the sport’s transformative power. After her service, Mann found a new purpose on the ice, joining a community that values both resilience and competition. Jamie Benassi, a Cincinnati native, has spent a decade perfecting her game, while Hope Magelky, a goaltender who discovered sled hockey later in life, treasures the chance to compete at the highest level. Kaden Herchenroether, a Pittsburgh native, echoes the sentiment, describing the sport as a catalyst for personal growth and belonging.
Looking Ahead
With each season, the roster of aspiring female sled hockey players expands, and the competition for national team spots intensifies. The momentum generated by recent successes suggests that the dream of seeing women’s sled hockey on the Paralympic stage by 2030 is moving from aspiration to achievable goal.