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Players for the Indiana Renegades and Elmvale Bears move around the ice in a sledge hockey game

MMJC: London sledge hockey tournament crowns victors from across the continent in 20th year

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Teams from Indiana, Buffalo and Wichwood, Ont. were among gold medallists at the London Blizzard’s 20th anniversary tournament at Western Fair Sports Centre 

By Mitchell Fox | Jan. 24, 2026 

The 20th edition of the London Blizzard Invitational sledge hockey tournament brought fanfare and intense competition from Jan. 16–18, with teams from across the continent taking home medals. 

Hosted at the Western Fair Sports Centre, the tournament featured 39 teams from all over Canada and the United States. Across seven divisions based on skill level and age, a diverse community assembled to compete.  

“It’s great to see familiar faces, faces you haven’t seen before, all enjoying the sport,” said London Blizzard president Chris Wood.  

London Blizzard sledge hockey players gather at the bench in the middle of a game
The London Blizzard sledge hockey association hosted their 20th anniversary tournament from Jan. 16–18. Their intermediate B team finished second. (Mitchell Fox/MMJC)

Sledge hockey, a Paralympic sport, follows the same rules as ice hockey with players seated on a “sledge” and using two specialized sticks to push across the ice. 

The London Blizzard began operations in 1997 for children with physical disabilities and have expanded to include junior, intermediate and open (non-contact) division teams. They host the tournament—which Wood said is one of the world’s largest—each January. 

The weekend’s big winners were the Indiana Renegades, who took home gold in the Intermediate A division, the tournament’s highest level. They defeated the Elmvale Bears 4–3 in overtime on Sunday. 

The full list of winners includes: 

  • Intermediate A: Indiana Renegades 
  • Intermediate B: Buffalo Sabres 
  • Intermediate C-: Hamilton Sledgehammers 
  • Intermediate C-plus: Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins 
  • Junior: Wichwood Thrashers 
  • Open (Blue): Rocket Montreal 
  • Open (Green): Grand Rapids Sled Wings 

Zach Bingman scored the tournament-winning goal for the Renegades, who won the B division last year. He said the top level brought tougher competition and more physical play. 

“[We] had a little chip on the shoulder. A team coming from America, trying to upset the home country and just trying to do anything to get the gold,” said Bingman. 

Zach Bingman bows his head to have a medal put around his neck while on a sledge
Zach Bingman scored the game-winning goal in overtime to win the Indiana Renegades the A division on Sunday, Jan. 18 (Mitchell Fox/MMJC) 

While national-team players travel the world, it’s not common for club players. Bingman said the Blizzard tournament was his only event outside of the U.S. this year, so it holds a special spot in his heart. 

“Not a lot of people get the opportunity to come and play in another country,” he said. “It’s so fun.” 

Two Indian Renegades sledge hockey players laugh and yell at their coach from the blue line after winning a game
Energy was high for Zach Bingman and teammate Carmin Brown as they joked around with their coach after their gold-medal victory. (Mitchell Fox/MMJC)

Over three days, 79 games were played on the four rinks at Western Fair Sports Centre. With a “Try It” skate on Saturday introducing Londoners to the game, players of various genders, ages, disabilities and familiarity hit the ice. 

“If you can get into a sled, you’re more than welcome to come out on the ice. You’d see no club refuse anyone,” said Wood. 

Grand Rapids Sled Wings and Elmvale Bears players chase a puck near the Bears net in a sledge hockey game
The open divisions at the London Blizzard tournament are non-contact and feature players of all ages. The Grand Rapids Sled Wings defeated the Elmvale Bears to win the Open (Green) division. (Mitchell Fox/MMJC)

The Blizzard’s Open (Blue) division team finished third, while the SWO juniors and the Intermediate B team each lost on Sunday, earning silver medals. 

Wood plays goaltender for the intermediate team, who lost 6–3 to the Buffalo Sabres in the B Division final. The Sabres—who have participated in all 20 editions of the tournament—did not lose a game this time around. 

“It’s nice to have a team that’s supported the tournament for so long,” said Wood. “We always have good fun with Buffalo.” 

Three Buffalo Sabres sledge hockey players lean back on their sledge and look across as teammates receive medals
The Buffalo Sabres won the Intermediate B division of the London Blizzard Invitational sledge hockey tournament after a dominant performance against the hosts on Jan. 18. (Mitchell Fox/MMJC) 

In the tournament’s final game, the Woolwich Thrashers conquered the SWO juniors 4–1 to win the youngest division. Two years after not scoring a goal at the tournament in 2024, the Thrashers went undefeated and outscored their opponents 30-4 over five games. 

Goaltender Hadley Deckert, who switched to goaltending this year, said winning this tournament was special. 

“There’s more teams that we’re playing against and it’s more challenging,” she said, comparing to other tournaments this season. “It’s really fun and [I got] to express myself with my team.” 

Wood said the tournament hosted 50 teams—including from Europe and Asia—before the COVID-19 pandemic and he is hopeful for a bigger turnout next year. 

Chris Wood tends the goal for the London Blizzard in a sledge hockey game
In addition to playing goaltender for their intermediate team, Chris Wood has been president of the London Blizzard sledge hockey association since 2023. (Mitchell Fox/MMJC) 

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SOCIAL MEDIA POST: Winners’ slideshow (For Instagram and/or TikTok) 

The London Blizzard hosted their 20th anniversary sledge hockey tournament from Jan. 16-18, featuring teams from across Canada and the United States. Seven teams went home with gold medals in their respective divisions. Read the full story at mitchellfoxportfolio.com.  (Photos: Mitchell Fox/MMJC) 

London Blizzard tournament: A recap by Mitchell Fox

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