Josh Pauls, a veteran member of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, recently added another milestone to his career by leading Team USA to its fifth straight Paralympic gold medal and extending his collection of World Championship titles to seven.
A Champion On and Off the Ice
In March, Pauls captained the American squad to the top of the podium, a triumph that follows a storied résumé of five Paralympic golds and seven world championship crowns.
Earlier this month he traveled to New York for the Chelsea Challenge, a LGBTQ+ hockey tournament organized by the New York City Pride Hockey Alliance, the 24th edition of its adult league for queer players and allies.
The event featured two sled hockey squads — Double Sticking and Stonewall Sledders — each rostered roughly 20 athletes and played a series of four games over the course of the weekend.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, Pauls described the tournament as a “great weekend of queer hockey,” emphasizing the camaraderie, the joy of competition, and the importance of a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ participants.
He noted that the NHL had encouraged his attendance, a sign of growing support from mainstream hockey, and he took the opportunity to wear Pride tape on his stick as a visible ally gesture.
Paul also spoke openly about past missteps, including moments of misgendering, and stressed the need to learn from mistakes while continuing to champion inclusivity.
Looking ahead, Pauls said he wants to leverage his platform to advocate for broader acceptance, to mentor younger players, and to ensure that hockey remains a sport where anyone who loves the game can participate without fear of exclusion.