Paralympic Perspectives: Jeff Snyder

Jeff Snyder of Elmira, Ontario, has been head coach of the Canadian Ice Sledge Hockey team since the 2002-03 season. Previously, he was a head coach for Ontario Junior A, B and C able-bodied hockey players before he discovered ice sledge hockey. Snyder coached the Canadian team to its gold medal win at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games.

Sledge wasn't in my vocabulary when I began coaching junior hockey in 1989. I had only heard of it because my daughter's neighbour friend was playing it.  

Before discovering sledge, I had been coaching Major Junior A hockey with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).  After being let go from that position I had decided to take a year off from coaching. That's when I got a call out of the blue wondering if I was interested in coaching Canada's National Sledge Hockey team. I didn't really know what the sport was all about and wasn't sure if I wanted to do it or not.

The Canadian Sledge Hockey team was hosting a camp in Montreal the next weekend and they said “come out for the weekend and see what you think and then you can make a decision”.  So I went to Montreal, ran a few practices, enjoyed it and decided I was up for the challenge.

I started coaching the Canadian National Sledge hockey team in the 2002-03 season, the year following the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Games. It was a real awakening. Hockey but just a little bit different. My daughter and I joined her friend and tried sitting in sledges and playing and quickly realized — after much teetering and flailing — that it wasn't easy. The hardest part was just keeping our balance. We really discovered that sledge hockey players have to do everything at once, including pushing with their picks and puck handling. My hat is off to these guys with incredible agility.

The players

Until sledge, I had always coached men's junior hockey for the 15 to 20 age group and all the players had their sights set on getting drafted and signing pro contracts. Now with the Canadian Sledge Hockey team, some of the players I coach are older than I am and they certainly aren't looking for the big contracts or the fame. The sledge hockey players that I coach are in it because they love playing the game, love representing their country and love to compete to win.

In sledge hockey you've got men who have overcome so much adversity in their lives to get to where they've gotten that they seem to appreciate things a bit more. They truly enjoy their time in the rink and that has really had a positive influence in my life.

Just seeing what these guys have been through and how they overcome it makes you appreciate everything you have in your own life, your health and all the blessings that you have. Their perspectives and their humour have helped me through some tough losses in my life.

My first Paralympic Games

It’s hard to pick just one standout moment from the Paralympic Games in Turin, Italy. One special moment would be the Opening Ceremonies. I had never been to a Paralympics and didn't know what to expect. Our team arrived on a Sunday, and the Opening Ceremonies weren't until the Friday. It was quiet all week and I started thinking maybe this wasn't that big of a deal.

All of the competing countries were lined up alphabetically behind the stage area outside the stadium waiting to walk in to the Opening Ceremonies. We had no idea what to expect. When the Canadian team finally walked out into the stadium it was amazing, I just remember thinking 'wow'. There were 45,000 people in the stands and they let out a big roar when every country walked out, and when we looked around the stadium we could see different pockets of people holding up Canadian flags. It was moving — I realized that this was very special and I was very lucky to be a part of it.

The most incredible moment for me, though, was watching the raising of the Canadian flag and the playing of our national anthem after we won the gold medal game. I will never forget that feeling. We were all extremely proud to win a gold medal for our great country.

Athletes first, disabled second

Our men compete as hard as any able bodied player I’ve ever coached. I think you really have to see a game to appreciate the athletic ability they have. People are amazed at the speed and the aggressive nature of the game. Their will to win is as great as anybody else's. I saw that when we won the gold medal at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games.

They are truly proud to wear the maple leaf. Watch for them at Vancouver 2010 and you will discover a new twist on Canada’s game.

 

Paralympic Perspectives is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. This series comprises personal stories written by Paralympians and leaders passionate about the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every weekday from March 12 through March 21 for a new story of personal triumph and fierce competition.

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