Marketplace All-in-One Sled hockey's Declan Farmer makes us smart about the Winter Paralympics
Feb 24, 2026
Declan Farmer, three-time Paralympic gold medalist and advocate for adaptive hockey, walks through sled hockey gear, rules and how players move on the ice. He recalls starting the sport at eight and rising to Team USA. Conversation covers intense rivalries, growing Paralympics viewership, how to find local programs, and the financial hurdles many Paralympians face.
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How Sled Hockey Works
- Sled hockey is full-contact ice hockey adapted by sitting in a sled with two shortened sticks that have ice picks for propulsion and puck handling.
- Players use two skate blades mounted to a metal frame and a bucket seat holding hips and thighs, so all play and movement come from the upper body.
Declan's Path From Kid To Paralympian
- Declan Farmer started sled hockey at eight while using two leg prosthetics and progressed from fun to serious competition by age 12 after seeing the 2010 Paralympics.
- He made the U.S. Paralympic team at 16 for Sochi and is heading to his fourth Games in Milan.
U.S. Versus Canada Rivalry
- Canada is Team USA's primary rival in sled hockey, matching the intensity and history of stand-up hockey rivalries.
- Rivalry fuels high-stakes games where both teams push each other and outcomes feel genuinely uncertain.