Top Hurricanes prospects gain new perspective, give sled hockey a try at development camp
Coming off the ice, Jackson Blake used five words to sum up the experience: “My abs are still burning.”
Blake was one of the Carolina Hurricanes prospects who joined in with members of the Hurricanes Sled Hockey team on the ice Wednesday at Invisalign Arena. The forward hopped in the sled and did his best to keep up, gaining a quick appreciation for those who play regularly.
On the third day of development camp, the Canes hosted the Hurricanes Sled Team and Triangle Special Hockey. For NHL prospects like Blake, Bradly Nadeau and others, it was something unique and inspirational in seeing the competitive zeal of the sled players.
“It was so hard, an ab workout for sure,” Blake said. “Oh my gosh, I wasn’t expecting it to be that hard. It’s cool that there’s another way to play, and if you can’t play regular hockey that sled hockey is a great opportunity for those guys to try something new and play hockey.”
Blake smiled, adding, “Those guys were wheeling around me for sure. And some of them were hitting me, too. One was slashing me. But it was a lot of fun.”
Tyler Jacoby said he likes the speed and physicality of the sport. Born with spina bifida, he was first drawn to hockey in 2006 when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup.
That’s what his mother says. Jacoby, 20, doesn’t remember it, saying his first memories of hockey came later. But he took a quick liking to it, started skating at 6 and never let his disability slow him down.
Jacoby’s mother, Kelly, is the manager of Hurricanes Sled Hockey. She’s also a chief fundraiser for the program, seeking the financial means to secure the ice time needed for the 50 to 60 players to practice and buy the special equipment.
Jacoby praised the support of the Hurricanes and also such former Canes players as Erik Cole, who Jacoby said gave one of the first personal donations.
“They say hockey is for everyone and there are a lot of people that enjoy the sport and want to get out there and play in a competitive way,” she said. “So having that experience to just play the sport is great. To have the prospects who are at the top of their game and then it’s kind of a humbling experience, learning a new way to skate, it’s great to see them out there and all smiling and having a great time.
“To be with these future NHL players is a win-win all the way around, to grow sled hockey as well as grow the support and the connection between the Hurricanes and sled hockey.”
The on-ice action Wednesday offered a contrast. The sled team members, including Tyler Jacoby, easily navigated their way about the ice, making quick turns.
Canes defenseman Bryce Montgomery is 6-4 and 225 pounds. Once toppling over on his sled, he needed help getting upright again.
“You watch them fly around doing all these great things and I couldn’t even move out there,” said forward Jayden Perron, a third-round draft pick by the Canes this year.
Canes goalie Patrik Hamrla had some pucks get past him as the sled team’s Rob Pickel skated in to beat him a couple of times with quick, top-shelf shots.
“Nice shots. I was surprised,” said Hamrla, who will play in Finland’s Liiga next season. “I have a lot of respect for them. It was a really good experience.”
This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 2:40 PM.
