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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MULLETT ICE CENTER 44 / JULY.AUGUST.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM by CRAIG PETERSEN, STAR Ambassador REAL PROGRAMS Sled Hockey Learn to Skate I t had all the makings of any other Learn to Skate or Learn to Play event. At Mullett Ice Center in Hartland, Wisconsin, participants wore smiles underneath their helmets and moved across the ice after the puck. There was one noticeable difference that separated this event from the others, however: sleds. Organized and promoted by Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association (WASA), Mullett Ice Center hosted two Sled Hockey Learn to Skate events this season. Modeled after USA Hockey's Try Hockey For Free Day, the event aimed to give adaptive athletes the opportunity to experience the greatest game on earth. "The first Learn to Skate at Mullett Center was more popular than we imag- ined, with every sled filled," said Sam Gracz, WASA program director. "We have had such a great experience planning this event, ordering equipment and working with the different rinks to make this happen." A lot of people came together to help make it happen, too. U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey team members Kevin McKee and Erica Mitchell were in attendance to help out on the ice and promote their sport. Kevin won gold with Team USA in Sochi, and Erica is the captain from the U.S. Women's National Sled Hockey team. Dr. Mike Uihlein, physician for Team USA, and Brad Roethlisberger, head of the USA Hockey disabled section in Wisconsin, also played key roles in the success and organization of the Sled Hockey Learn to Skate. And while the big names were great to have, it was the participants trying sled hockey for the first time who really shone. In total, 25 adaptive athletes from age 7 to 65 were able to make use of sleds provided by WASA and USA Hockey's Sled Lending Program. Fifty Mullett Ice Center Offers Hockey For Everyone The Hartland, Wisconsin rink and Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association team up for Sled Hockey Learn to Skate events "THE FIRST LEARN TO SKATE AT MULLETT CENTER WAS MORE THAN WE IMAGINED, WITH EVERY SLED FILLED. WE HAVE HAD SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE PLANNING THIS EVENT, ORDERING EQUIPMENT AND WORKING WITH THE DIFFERENT RINKS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN."