Sled Hockey

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11

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by Team USA

U.S. sled hockey players jumping on each other in celebration.
In 2002, the Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games were held in Salt Lake City just five months after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. 
The U.S. flag being presented at Salt Lake City 2002.
(Photo by Getty Images)
The coaching staff hung a photo of the Twin Towers in the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team's locker room as a source of motivation. 
After each victory, they added another tally, keeping the lives lost on 9/11 at the heart of their journey. 
U.S. sled hockey players huddling in a circle.
(Photo by Getty Images)
The team went undefeated to win the first U.S. Paralympic gold medal in sled hockey. 
U.S. sled hockey players celebrating with their hands held high.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Being selected to wear that USA jersey and to represent your country at the Paralympics is a tremendous honor and brings an immense feeling of pride and patriotism. After the events of 9/11, those emotions skyrocketed.
Kip St. Germaine
A U.S. sled hockey player checking an opponent.
(Photo by Getty Images)
I painted my goalie mask with a 9/11-inspired design that featured twisted metal, a torn American flag and the USA Hockey logo. For me, it was a powerful reminder of what our country had endured and the resilience we had shown in the aftermath.
Manny Guerra Jr.
A photo of Manny Guerra Jr.'s helmet from 2002 in an exhibit.
(Photo by Manny Guerra Jr.)
We rallied around something bigger than ourselves, which strengthened our bond as a team and fueled our determination to represent our country with pride.
Manny Guerra Jr.
U.S. sled hockey players jumping on each other in celebration.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Watch Ice Gold on Peacock, the true story of the underdog 2002 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team.
An overhead shot of the rink at the Paralympic Winter Games Salt Lake 2002.
(Photo by Getty Images)