Connecticut's only Sled Hockey team has sights on league title

As the Paralympics are underway in Milan, a group of Connecticut athletes are redefining the game of hockey — with a league title in their sights.

The state’s only sled hockey team, the Gaylord Wolfpack, is gearing up for the playoffs.

But Rebecca Mann, a key piece of the squad, said it’s not just about the wins and losses.

“I can honestly say that adaptive sports as a whole saved my life,” Mann said.

Mann, a veteran of the U.S. Army, lost her leg while on deployment in Afghanistan, and in 2020 became a double amputee.

“I was really struggling coming out of the military and not really having a community that I had when I was in the military,” said Mann. “And then when I discovered sled hockey, it just opened my world up again.”

Corey Podbielski, one of the coaches of the Gaylord Wolfpack, said they have one more practice before they head to the playoffs in New Jersey this weekend.

“We won the national championship a few years back, and this year our goal is to win the league, something we have never done before,” said Podbielski.

Meanwhile, some of the world’s best players were also once part of the Wolfpack.

“Declan Farmer is arguably the best player in the world,” said Podbielski. “Jack Wallace, some of those guys you’re watching in the Paralympics now.”

As it stands, there is only a men’s team competing in the Olympics, but Mann is trying to change that come 2030.

“The big thing is growing the sport and making sure that women are represented in the Paralympics for years to come,” said Mann.

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