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Sled Vets win Gold at Empire State Winter Games

The 2024 VA Western New York Health System sled hockey team
(L-R) Back row: Kris Schiller, Mike Connolly, Coach Jake Gonta Front row: Mike Wanat, John Uplinger, Gene Nawotniak, Matt Daniels, Dave Cross, Ric Wattie, Carrie Frank, James Whitaker, Dave Paolini, and Shawn Kraft.
By Mark Richardson, Public Affairs Officer

A group of local Veteran athletes are champions.

Earlier this month the VA Western New York Health System (VA WNYHS) sled hockey team traveled to the Adirondacks to compete in the Empire State Winter Games and returned home with gold.

The team competed in a three-day tournament advancing to the gold medal round at the Olympic Center, site of the 1980 Winter Olympics Miracle on Ice, where they took on the undefeated Springfield Thunderbirds and won, with a final score of 6-3, earning the gold medal. 

Sled hockey follows most typical ice hockey rules with players sitting in specially designed sleds on top of two hockey skate blades. Each player uses two sticks that have metal picks on the butt end allowing players to propel themselves. Goalies make modifications to their gloves with metal picks sewn into the backside to allow goalies to maneuver.

The team credits their success throughout the tournament to their chemistry, resilience, sportsmanship, and focusing on their core value: Play with Honor.

The Buffalo Sled Vets team is a partnership between VA WNYHS Recreation Therapy and the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Warriors organizations. Veterans interested in the program can contact, VWNY HS Recreation Therapist Jake Gonta at Jake.Gonta@va.gov or 716-341-1617.