A star of Britain’s leading Para Ice Hockey team has expressed his disappointment that the sport’s national league been cancelled but he says he is looking for positives in these uncertain times.
Mike Rhodes has played for Sheffield Steelkings for nearly three years after club chairman Jake Oakley invited him to try the sport.
Sheffield Steelkings last year completed the British Para Ice Hockey League and play-off double, and as a result have been nominated for Disability Sport Yorkshire’s Team of the Year.
On the season being cancelled, Mike said: “It is disappointing but there’s little point in getting frustrated about things you can’t control and we can only look for positives.”
One of the many positives at the club is the imminent arrival of a second team, Sheffield Steelstings which will allow more players an opportunity to train and play.
Rhodes said: “Once we’re back on the ice of course – and got up to speed we want to retain our titles and win trophies of course, but our bigger aim is to grow the profile of this club and the sport.”
Rhodes said he hoped Para Ice Hockey, which sees players seated in sledges rather than on skates, can still be played this year despite the cancellation of the BPIHL.
He said: “Hopefully later on this year if and when things get back to normal we can do some sort of friendly game or some kind of tournament with the other British teams so it might not be a completely wasted year game-wise.
“So it is a disappointment sure, but I’m more disappointed by things that have actually happen in games rather than in games that will never happen.
Mike said the lack of hockey is a testing time for him and his teammates, who are all missing out on time spending time together.
He said: “That’s difficult. Everyone was really welcoming when I first started and we are like one big family, plus there a few people on that team that I’ve been friends with since I was a kid.
“We’re lucky in a way that with social media, instant messaging, things like Skype, we can all stay in touch but it isn’t the same. We used to do a lot together socially. And we usually train on a Friday night.
“No matter how bad a week you might have had you always knew you were seeing friends and letting off some steam on the ice for an hour or two and I miss that. I’m sure we all do.
Mike said the inclusivity of para ice hockey is something he enjoys and would recommend.
Rhodes said: “The sport is designed to be all-inclusive and the Steelkings really embrace that.
“The sport welcomes disabled and able-bodied players, and it welcomes anyone regardless of gender, age, sexuality, religion, or any other characteristic and the Steelkings are the most welcoming group of people I’ve ever known.
“It’s a huge selling point of the sport and the club for me and I know what that acceptance and those friendships you can build with teammates can do for people.
Mike’s and the Steelkings’ training schedule has had to adapt to the ever-changing times during the current Coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “Whilst I can’t go to the gym and we can’t train properly, I still have my gear so I can practice stickhandling – but with tennis balls, not pucks.
“I don’t have weights at home but I have been doing cardio and stretches. And I can re-watch games.
“It’s not ideal, but again it’s about looking for the positives and making the best out of what you have.”
East Sheffield Sport 