GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins and Grand Rapids Sled Wings will play their 14th annual sled hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at a new venue, Griff’s Georgetown in Hudsonville (8500 48th Avenue).

The doors will open at 5 p.m. Prior to the game, fans can try out a sled on the ice for a minimum $1 donation (5-5:50 p.m.) and get free autographs from their favorite Griffins players (5:20-5:50 p.m.). The game will consist of two 20-minute periods with a running clock.

The two sled hockey teams will be comprised of players from both the Griffins and the Sled Wings’ junior team. During the five-minute intermission, local media personalities will play an exhibition sled hockey game alongside members of the Sled Wings.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 per person or $20 per family. Children 2 and younger are free. A small silent auction and raffle will be held consisting primarily of Griffins items, including experience packages and game-used, autographed sticks from Colin Campbell, Wade Megan and Patrik Rybar.

All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Sled Wings program and the Griffins Youth Foundation. Click here for complete details and highlights from last season’s game.

The junior Sled Wings, a talented team of children and teens who have physical disabilities, are sponsored by the Griffins Youth Foundation in partnership with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. They became the first junior-level sled hockey team in Michigan upon their founding in 2001, and have gained a national reputation by winning various prestigious tournaments and developing six players for U.S. National Teams. Sled Wings goaltender Taggart VanderMolen was selected to the U.S. National Development Team for the 2018-19 season. Just 15 years old when he was named to the team, VanderMolen is the youngest netminder ever to receive this honor. The Sled Wings captured their first Division A National Championship in April 2015 and have finished as National Runners-up four times.

The 14th annual sled hockey game is sponsored by the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports, and Centennial Securities.

Sled hockey rules are virtually identical to traditional hockey, except participants sit on bladed sleds. Players use shortened hockey sticks with a blade on one end and a pick (similar to a toe-pick on a figure skate) on the other end, which enables them to propel themselves across the ice. As in traditional hockey, checking, penalties and hard shots are all abundant in sled hockey.

Photo by Sam Iannamico/Griffins