Our Mission
The mission of Seattle Sled Hockey is to provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for hockey players and their families in the Greater Seattle Area, regardless of disability, age, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or socio-economic status.
We challenge our athletes to grow both as individuals and as athletes through the sport of hockey. We focus on both the physical and the mental health of our players to help build self-confidence, develop camaraderie, and to create a tight hockey community.
Our Team
Coaches
Head Coach: Emily Gannon
Coaching Assistant: Kai Rehder
Captains: Leah Cupps, Kai Rehder
Management
General Manager: Thom Youngblood
Equipment Manager: Joshua Cupps
Representatives
SAS Liason: Thom Youngblood
Community Outreach: Brian Baker
Team Pups: Jacques Baker, Declan Cupps
Our History
2012 - USA Hockey hosts first sled hockey clinic in the Pacific Northwest. Paralympians Rico Roman and Jen Lee are in attendance to showcase the sport.
2012 - The SNO-King Thunderbirds Sled Hockey team are formed with the support of a generous grant from the Thunderbirds Foundation. The SNO-King Thunderbirds are an official USA Hockey team affiliated with the Pacific Northwest Amateur Hockey Association (PNAHA). The team is coached by Brian Campbell.
2013 - Patrick Schneider and Rich Bierlein join the team as coaches
2014 - Team travels to their first competitive tournament and competes in the Pacific Coast Sledge Hockey Invitational
2014 - Team attends their first Sportability Showdown hosted by Sportability in Surrey, BC.
2015 - Hockey Fest in Coeur d’Alene, ID
2015 - The SNO-King Thunderbirds are invited to their first on-ice showcase between periods during a WHL game between the Seattle Thunderbirds and the BC Eagles
2016 - Bruce Dawson joins the team as the first captain in team history
2016 - The SNO-King Thunderbirds compete in their first Disabled Hockey Festival in Detroit, MI.
2017 - The SNO-King Thunderbirds compete in the 2017 Disabled Hockey Festival in San Jose, CA.
2018 - The SNO-King Thunderbirds compete in the 2018 Disabled Hockey Festival in Chicago, IL.
2019 - The SNO-King Thunderbirds compete in the BC Provincial Tournament at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, BC.
2019 - The SNO-King Thunderbirds compete in the 2019 Disabled Hockey Festival in Tampa, FL.
2021 - The Seattle Kraken bring an NHL franchise to the Pacific Northwest.
2021 - Seattle Sled Hockey becomes an affiliate of the Seattle Kraken of the NHL.
2021 - Kurt Rader joins the team as head coach and Hob Lloyd as assistant coach.
2021 - The Seattle Kraken Sled Hockey Team competes at their first NHL Sled Hockey Classic in Wayne, NJ.
2022 - The Seattle Kraken Sled Hockey Team competes at the Disabled Hockey Festival in Pittsburgh, PA.
2022 - The Seattle Kraken Sled Hockey Team competes at the NHL 2022 Sled Hockey Classic in Anaheim, CA.
2023 - The Seattle Kraken Sled Hockey Team competes at the 2023 Disabled Hockey Festival in St. Louis, MO.
2023 - The Seattle Kraken Sled Hockey Team WIN tier 3 at the 2023 Hendrickson Festival in Blaine, MN.