One Sled, One Game, One Win: How Custom Sledge Hockey Equipment Changed an Athlete’s Career

At Grey Space Adaptives, we don’t just build sleds — we build possibilities.

Every athlete we work with comes to us carrying something more than just a set of measurements. They bring their frustration. Their pain. Their hope. Their fire to compete, but too often, they’ve been let down by gear that wasn’t built for them.

This story is about one of those athletes — and how one custom sled made all the difference.

10 Minutes on the Ice Was All He Could Handle

When this athlete first came to us, his message was clear: “I love the sport, but my body can’t take it anymore.”

He could only sit in his sled for 10 minutes before the discomfort became unbearable. Every shift became a countdown clock. Every practice was cut short. His spirit was strong — but his equipment wasn’t supporting him.

And this is something we see far too often. Sleds that were meant to fit “most” people rarely fit anyone well. Adaptive sports shouldn’t feel like punishment.

He didn’t need a miracle. He needed a sled designed around his body, his game, and his goals.

Listening First, Then Designing

We started with the same approach we take with every custom build:

• We listened.

• We measured.

• We asked about his game, his playing style, his pain points.

Then we went to work.

His new sled was designed from the ground up — literally — using a single piece of CNC-machined 6061 aluminum. No welds. No weak points. Just pure, functional geometry optimized for fit and performance.

We adjusted seat depth, center of gravity, footrest angles — every detail mattered. Because in a sport as physically demanding as sledge hockey, comfort is performance.

The Result? A Full 60 Minutes of Ice Time

When he got into the new sled for the first time, his posture changed. His push strokes got stronger. His confidence came back.

And then something incredible happened: he played an entire game without needing to get out of his sled. Not once.

What used to be a 10-minute battle just to stay in the game was now 60 full minutes of competition. That’s not just a change in equipment — that’s a change in mindset.

This wasn’t just about one sled. It was about giving an athlete his sport back.

Performance Is Personal

Too many athletes think their pain is “normal.” That having a sore back, hip, or tailbone is just the cost of playing. It’s not.

The problem isn’t them — it’s the gear.

At Grey Space Adaptives, we believe performance starts with fit. When your equipment works with your body instead of against it, everything changes — your reach, your control, your confidence. Your ability to perform at your best.

This is true for every level — from first-timers to national team players.

Every Athlete Deserves to Compete Without Limits

The truth is, most people don’t realize how much difference equipment can make in sledge hockey. It’s not just a seat on blades. It’s your base, your tool, your engine. When it’s right, it disappears under you. When it’s wrong, it makes the whole sport harder than it needs to be.

That’s why we do what we do. Because every athlete deserves to compete — and enjoy it — without worrying about their gear holding them back.

That’s why we custom build. That’s why we machine from single blocks of aluminum. That’s why we never stop tweaking and improving our designs.

Because we’ve seen what happens when it works.

The Mission Is Bigger Than a Sled

This athlete’s story isn’t unique — and that’s the problem.

There are dozens more like him. And if we can keep making the sport more accessible, more comfortable, and more competitive — we believe the entire sport will grow.

That’s the mission of Grey Space Adaptives: to push sledge hockey forward. One sled. One athlete. One win at a time.

Are you struggling with gear that doesn’t feel right?Are you wondering if the pain is just part of the game?

Let’s talk.

Because the right sled can change everything.

Tanner FandreyFounder & Designer, Grey Space Adaptives