Cross-Border Sledding

There has only been a handful of times where this blog has been involved in international hockey events with our neighbours to the south, but the arrival of today's news in my email may change that. I know I've had the privilege of covering the World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship back in 2009 and there have been a handful of US-based teams who have played at the Female World Sport School Challenge, but I've never been involved in a series of games between a US-based team and a Canadian-based team. It appears that will be something I can cross off the ol' HBIC Bucket List because that will happen in March while accomplishing another first for both HBIC and UMFM! It is an honour that we were asked to participate in this event, so I'm clearing a weekend for the 2026, and possibly the first annual, Cross Border Classic!

UMFM has carried men's and women's hockey before, but this sledge hockey series will be a first for the radio station as the Manitoba Provincial Parahockey team will take the ice on March 6-8 to square off against the Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey team at the Hockey For All Centre in a three-game series! UMFM will be on-site to call all three games for anyone who wants to tune in from either side of the border as the UMFM Second Stream will bring listeners all the action!

Team Manitoba head coach McKenna Wild sent me information and a poster for the event, but I made a few adjustments to her work!

Having had McKenna in the UMFM studios before the holdiays, I know she's very excited for her team to take the ice against the Minnesota Wild Sled Team, so I expect Team Manitoba to be locked in by March. After watching their practice in early December, I can tell you Manitoba's athletes were flying all over the ice so I'm hoping that boundless energy is carried forward to the first weekend in March!

The license plates in the province may say "Friendly Manitoba", but I know there's a lot of pride on this Manitoba side when it comes to competing with the Minnesota Wild team. Of course, we're hoping to see lots of people at the games at the Hockey For All Centre (HFAC), and this would be a great way for everyone to come and see some of the best parahockey players from both Manitoba and Minnesota showing off their skills and abilities! If you haven't watched a parahockey game before in any manner, this is where you should be booking those days at the HFAC to come and watch the Cross Border Classic. Come and cheer on the Manitoba Express as they'll be looking for victories against the Wild!

You may have noticed that there are sponsorship opportunities available for this series, and Sledge Hockey Manitoba is looking for sponsors of all shapes and sizes! You don't need a six- or seven-digit marketing budget to help them make this weekend memorable, so get in touch with me using the "Contact Me" option at the top of the page and we'll put you in touch with the right people. Honestly, even a donation of time or products would help Sledge Hockey Manitoba in a major way, so if you want to help... please get in touch!

We know that one team in this province already has a healthy rivalry with a Minnesota Wild team, and it's time to establish another fun and friendly rivalry between two good hockey teams. Circle March 6-8 on your calendar, hop in the car, and come see the best parahockey players from Manitoba and Minnesota clash at the Hockey For All Centre for bragging rights in the 2026 Cross Border Classic!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!