It's How He Plays the Game
January 1, 2007
Power Wheelchair Hockey has Scored Big with Tyler Barrett
When it comes to hockey, Tyler Barrett doesn’t just love the game, he lives the game.
A hockey fan since age four, 16 year-old Tyler began playing in 2003. Since then, he’s come to embody the term “team player”. He plays both forward and defense, is Captain of his team and, when the need arises, coaches as well. If there’s a way to help his team, Tyler is there to lend a hand.
Why didn't he start playing sooner? Because the Power Wheelchair Hockey league did not yet exist!
Tyler has Cerebral Palsy, which affects the brain and muscle movement/coordination. He and his family have been involved with SMD for a number of years, so everyone there knew he was a hockey fan. That’s why when SMD’s Recreation and Leisure program began organizing the new hockey league – the first sports league in Manitoba solely for people in power wheelchairs – Tyler was one of the first people called. He was hooked after his first practice.
Power wheelchair hockey is exactly what it sounds like: hockey played using power wheelchairs instead of skates.
“There are eight to ten people on the average team,” explains Tyler, who also points out that players’ ages range from 10 to 82. “We play on a gym surface, in the St. James Civic Centre. Some people have their sticks attached to their chairs to shoot.”
The hockey sticks attached to the chairs have a dowel in the blade to help those players with less upper body mobility to maneuver the ball (which is used instead of a puck).
“There are also a bunch of special rules,” continues Tyler. “There are things like ‘excessive driving’ and when you bump into people, you get a penalty.”
The love of hockey is apparent in all the members of the League, who come from places such as Winnipeg, Gimli, Beausejour, St. Andrews and Portage la Prairie to compete every Sunday throughout the winter (excluding Christmas and other holidays). Their fans are just as dedicated.
“Oh yeah, my Mom’s a hockey mom,” laughs Tyler, who says his parents also help raise additional funds for the League by selling coffee and 50/50 tickets. Right now, Tyler’s family and the rest of the League are raising funds for a team trip to Toronto to play in a national tournament next year.
Before the League, many of the players were unable to play any sport. Now, thanks in part to Easter Seals fundraising initiatives, they have the opportunity to take part in the game they enjoy and share in the pride of being on a team. But Tyler points out there are other great reasons for getting involved.
“It gives you a chance to meet new friends. I’ve met a lot of new friends since I started. And it’s fun. When people don’t get the chance to play hockey, they can come here and play.”
Tyler’s advice to anyone in a power wheelchair who enjoys hockey? “Come join or at least come to see what it’s like. It could be the right thing for you.”
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