The Para Ice Hockey Women's World Challenge kicks off in Green Bay on Aug. 31, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For the second year straight year, Green Bay is hosting the Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Challenge.
The tournament is scheduled to run from Aug. 31 through Sept. 3.
Four teams — USA, Canada, Great Britain, and a Team World comprised of athletes from different nations — will compete in a three-day round-robin style tournament, followed by a medal round on the final day of competition. In total, 67 total women will participate.
Brad Roethlisberger, president of the Green Bay organizing committee, said spectators who attend the tournament can expect to see immense talent and skill.
“They’re going to see some really good hockey and adaptive equipment,” Roethlisberger said. “A lot of times when you think of the disabled community, everybody has an idea of what this is going to be. But what they’re going to see is some really good hockey overall and very talented female athletes.”
Para ice hockey is played on a 200-by-100-foot rink. It’s similar to traditional international ice hockey, but with a few modifications in terms of equipment and penalties.
Each competitor uses a metal sledges fitted with skate blades, allowing the puck to pass from player to player. Players also use two shortened hockey sticks fitted with spike-ends at the top, which assist in mobility and maneuverability.
An infraction unique to para ice hockey is called “T-boning” or “T-ing”, which occurs when a player runs into an opponent with the front of their sledge.
The Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Challenge will once again take place at Green Bay’s Cornerstone Community Center, which was built in 2000 as an ice hockey and skating venue.
Team USA went undefeated to win the gold in last year’s tournament.
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