Josh Pauls Sees a Bright Future for Sled Hockey in Mexico
Josh Pauls will go just about anywhere to help grow the sport he loves.
That’s why the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team captain traveled to Mexico for a sled hockey clinic in that country, which took place April 3-6 in Mexico City and drew dozens of participants of all ages.
“It was a very rewarding experience,” said Pauls, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist and six-time world champion from Green Brook, New Jersey. “It was kind of flying by the seat of our pants. This thing came together in probably four months.
“It blew my mind. We had a ton of players. You never know what you’re going to get into going somewhere for the first time. It was such a great variance of age, but that’s how you keep a program going.”
The Urban Hockey Foundation organized the clinic. Based in Detroit, the UHF is a charity that wants to make hockey as accessible as possible to people around the world.
As Pauls pointed out, the driving force behind the clinic was Karina Villegas, who joined the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team after emigrating from Venezuela. Pauls said Villegas hopes to spread the sport throughout Latin America.
LosVGK, a brand created in October 2023 by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights for its Spanish-speaking fanbase, donated 13 sleds for the clinic. The sleds and other equipment were left behind to encourage the sport’s growth in Mexico.
“We definitely had a lot of people that really wanted to make this happen,” Pauls said. “It was absolutely awesome.”
Pauls said that the three-day event featured five on-ice sessions and a three-on-three exhibition game. It drew disabled and able-bodied participants who wanted to try the sport. As he looked on, Pauls identified four or five players who had real sled hockey potential.
“That was something that was huge because they’re really going to be able to get their program going,” Pauls said.
Pauls noted that Mexican players from the area brought their hockey bags, opened them up, and began fitting participants with equipment.
“That was just a powerful start to the experience of this is truly a community coming together to make something happen,” Pauls said. “When you think of Mexico, you think soccer. I think hockey and soccer are extremely similar.”
The National Paralympic Committee of Mexico showed its support by attending the event’s press conference. Pauls noted how important that was to help provide more legitimately to the clinic.
Pauls added one local rink owner is donating three hours of daily ice time for sled hockey use going forward.
After seeing the success of this event, Pauls is eager to return to Mexico or to travel to other countries that have yet to experience sled hockey.
“I’d love to go back down and help them out any way I can,” he said. “It was such a fulfilling experience.
“We’re already talking Costa Rica might be next, and we can hope for the best. I don’t think the dream’s fulfilled until we bring it everywhere.”
With the Mexico City clinic in his rearview mirror, Pauls now turns his attention to the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championship. For the first time in a decade, worlds will take place in the U.S. when the event comes to LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York, May 24-31.Tickets are on sale now and available here.
The Americans were undefeated this season before losing the final game of the of the 2025 Sled Series 2-1 to Canada in Thorold, Ontario, late last month. The last U.S. loss prior to that one had come to Canada in the 2024 world championship gold-medal game.
“Frankly, we just didn’t bury our chances, and Canada played really well,” said Pauls of the recent Sled Series finale. “We’re back to a point where we could lose any game against Canada. They can beat us. We can beat them. It’s back to what everybody wants to see.”
Despite the loss, Pauls said that he believed the U.S. controlled play for most of the Sled Series.
“It was upsetting to lose, but it’s also refreshing because prior to this, our last [loss] was the gold-medal game at Worlds,” he said. “It’ll be cool to see how everybody takes that loss. We’re going to have to find ways to add urgency in our game.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Source: usahockey.com