Screening of the 2002 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rick Middleton and Tom Moulton Invite the Community to a Free Screening Celebrating the Inspiring Story of the 2002 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team.
Take a moment to check out the trailer (below):
The community is invited to a free public screening celebrating the remarkable story of the 2002 U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team, followed by a special post-film discussion with legendary player and Coach Rick Middleton and his Assistant Coach Tom Moulton.
In 2001, the U.S. Paralympic sled hockey program was struggling to survive. The sport had existed in the United States for less than a decade, and the national team lagged far behind international powerhouses such as Norway, Canada, and Sweden. After finishing last at the 2000 World Cup, expectations for the American squad were virtually nonexistent.
When teams were ranked heading into the 2002 Winter Paralympics, the United States placed sixth out of six teams. Their invitation to compete was largely seen as a courtesy to the host country.
That same year, former Boston Bruins star Middleton — a three-time NHL All-Star who spent 12 seasons with the Bruins — was asked to coach the struggling team. Though he readily admits he knew little about sled hockey at the time, Middleton embraced the challenge.
Over the following year, Middleton and Moulton worked to harness the raw talent of the 15 players selected for the national team, teaching them a hockey system and building confidence within the team.
What followed in March 2002 shocked the international hockey world.
Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from Middleton and Moulton during a live post-film discussion about the team’s journey, the growth of sled hockey, and the perseverance that helped transform an underdog squad into a Paralympic success story.
The screening comes at an exciting time for adaptive sports fans, as the 2026 Winter Paralympics have just begun in northern Italy. The Games run from March 6–15, 2026, bringing together more than 650 athletes from around the world competing in six sports, including Para ice hockey (sled hockey). Rick Middleton and Tom Moulton’s story of the 2002 U.S. sled hockey team highlights the growth of the sport that fans are watching unfold on the world stage today. The full competition schedule for the Games can be viewed on the official Paralympic website:
https://www.paralympic.org/milano-cortina-2026/schedule
The event is free and open to the public but reservations are required. So call your friends today and reserve your tickets!
Showtime
Thursday, March 26 2026, 7:00pm
Location
The Portsmouth Music Hall
28 Chestnut Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Cost: Free and open to the public but you need to reserve your tickets now.
To Reserve Tickets Now!
https://www.themusichall.org/events/ice-gold/
