Personal

Pauls found a passion for sled hockey at an early age...Growing up in New Jersey, he had hopes of becoming the first NHL goalie with no legs...He was born without tibia bones and had both legs amputated at 10 months old...After a few years and some convincing from his parents, he joined a local team, the New York Rangers Junior Sled Hockey club team in 2002...Moving through the ranks quickly and showing promise, he was invited to a USA Hockey Development Camp in 2007...Shortly after, he made his U.S. National Sled Hockey Team debut in 2008. In 2010, at age 17, he was the youngest member of the gold medal-winning squad at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games...He went on to make his second Paralympic team, winning gold in Sochi and continues to be an intricate piece in the team’s international success...Named Best Defenseman at the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Pan Pacific Championships...Son of Tony and Deborah...Has one sister, Tori...Hobbies include cooking, playing video games, watching hockey and football...His idol is U.S. ice hockey player, Zach Parise...Works in finance as an account executive...Nicknamed “Spuds” due to his unique ritual of facing a Mr. Potato Head figure toward the opponent’s locker room before every game.

Paralympic Experience

4-time Paralympian; 4-time Paralympic medalist (4 gold)

Paralympic Games Beijing 2022, gold (Team - Mixed)
Paralympic Games Pyeongchang 2018, gold (Team - Mixed)
Paralympic Games Sochi 2014, gold (Team - Mixed)
Paralympic Games Vancouver 2010, gold (Team - Mixed)

World Championship Experience

Most recent: 2024 – silver (Team - Men)
Years of participation: Team - Men 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
Medals: 9 (6 gold, 3 silver)

Gold – 2023 (Team - Men); 2021 (Team - Men); 2019 (Team - Men); 2015 (Team - Men); 2012 (Team - Men); 2009 (Team - Men)
Silver – 2024 (Team - Men); 2017 (Team - Men); 2013 (Team - Men)

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USA Hockey

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