GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Defenseman Tyler Anderson of the Grand Rapids Sled Wings is among the 18 players named by USA Hockey to the 2011-12 U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team.

The 20-year-old Jenison native, who will play for his country for the third straight year, has also played 10 seasons for the Sled Wings, a talented team of kids and teenagers with physical disabilities that is sponsored by the Griffins Youth Foundation, in partnership with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

Anderson, the only Michigan native chosen by USA Hockey for either the National Sled Hockey Team or the developmental squad, has also played for both the Grand Rapids Junior Pacers wheelchair basketball team and the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association’s tennis team. The 2009 graduate of Jenison High School now attends Grand Rapids Community College.

The U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team is comprised of the best young American sled hockey players, who strive to improve their skills and earn a spot on future U.S. National Sled Hockey Teams that will compete in the Paralympic Games, world championships and other international events.

The Sled Wings, who became the first junior-level sled hockey team in Michigan upon their founding in 2001, have gained a national reputation through wins in various prestigious tournaments and their continuing development of high-caliber players such as Zeeland resident Chris Melton, who was a Team USA teammate of Anderson’s last season. The Sled Wings play a popular sled hockey exhibition game against the Grand Rapids Griffins each winter at Griff’s IceHouse that raises money for the Sled Wings.

More information about the U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team is available at usahockey.com.