MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 07: David Eustace #37 of Team United States is challenged by Stephan Kafmann #10 of Team Italy during the Para Ice Hockey Preliminary Round match between Team People’s United States and Team Italy on day one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on March 07, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images for IPC

Here’s How Paralympic Sled Hockey Players Swap Lines Without Ever Jumping the Boards

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated Mar 8, 2026 8:38 PM ET

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games are underway, with thousands of athletes competing to make their countries proud. At the same time, many fans may have learned about the various variations of traditional sports.

Sled hockey might be the most visible, as the most important event in the games. Team USA won the gold medal in the Olympics, and now the sled hockey squad wants to emulate them. However, their dominance has been evident at the last four Paralympic Games.

They play three 15-minute periods in six-on-six, with full contact between opponents. However, checking with the front of the sled is not allowed. Players with cognitive limitations, such as spinal cord injuries, limb loss, spina bifida, or cerebral palsy, are eligible to play.

How Sled Hockey Players Make Line Changes Without Jumping Over The Board

Declan Farmer. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Unlike in stand-up hockey, sled hockey players cannot jump over the boards during a line change. Instead, the benches are made out of ice, which allows them to skate on and off the fie ice through an open door that opens away from the playing surface.

Declan Farmer, the biggest star on Team USA during its streak of dominance, shared a TikTok video explaining the process.

@declanfarmer_usa Line changes in Paralympic sled hockey?? #paralympics #winterparalympics #teamusa #hockey #milanocortina2026 ♬ original sound – Rapgame87

They play on a regulation-sized ice hockey rink, just like stand-up hockey, but the rink’s construction must be different. Players can’t see the boards once they reach the bench, since they are just a few inches above the ice on their sleds.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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