Blake was a competitive athlete long before his life changed. You could bet on finding him at the gym every day, and he’d be at the rink for hockey practice at least once or twice on top of that. Hockey wasn’t just a sport. It was where he could push his limits and feel the most like himself.
Less than a year after being diagnosed with a neurological disorder that affects his spinal cord, fifteen-year-old Blake adapted. He got right back into sports, playing wheelchair basketball and golf, and discovering his newfound favourite: sledge hockey.
In sledge hockey, athletes sit in lightweight sleds mounted on two skate blades and use two shorter sticks both to propel themselves and handle the puck. The sport demands strength, agility, and teamwork, the same qualities Blake had always brought to the game.
Blake’s transition to sledge hockey was smooth. Local drop-in leagues warmly welcomed him as he began to build his skills. As his stamina and passion multiplied, he began to feel that his borrowed sled was causing discomfort, pain, and pressure sores that pulled his focus away from the sport.
Thanks to Shine supporters, Blake was granted a razor custom hockey sled and gear to keep him moving comfortably on the ice with speed, stability, and comfort. Having his own gear helps him play at his best every time, boosts his confidence, engage more on the ice, and gives him easier access to the sport.
His Dad shares proudly, "I think the biggest thing for him is the confidence in his new sled. Like when he's out there now, he's actually confident enough to just take the sport on. There's a couple of players that are really good and when he has the opportunity to go one-on-one with them, he just goes for it!"
Since his Dream, Blake has been playing weekly, and if game times are ever cancelled, he says the rest of his week feels spoiled. It goes to show how much this sport enriches his routine, social life, and sense of purpose.
Since sledge hockey has become such an essential part of his life, Blake is determined to see it grow. With his new sled and gear in tow, he wants to introduce more players to the power of the sport, build a thriving community on the ice, and ultimately secure a lot more ice time!
