On Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y., the Rochester Americans sled hockey team prepare for their game against the Syracuse Flyers with a pep talk in the changing room.
Sled hockey player, Brady Dean (4), waits for someone to grab his sled so that he can set up on the ice for the game on Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y. "I love sled hockey" says Brady before walking to the rink.
Three sleds are in front of some of the extra goals on Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y. Each member on the team has their own individual sled and sticks thats works for perfect for them, especially if they have a disability.
The coaches son, Jack Zyra (5), and the rest of the team begin to get on the ice to start their warm ups on Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y. Jack was born with a form of achondroplasia, which can cause deformity and weakness in the legs and bones. This can also be known as dwarfism.
Brady Dean (4) patiently waits for the game to begin on Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y. Due to Brady's muscle spasms, he has 2 weights at the ends of his hockey sticks to help control his movement on the ice. He is the only member on the team that has this special adjustment done to their sticks.
During an intermission between periods, Coach Darren Zyra gives his team a talk after making their first goal on Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y. "We have to work together" says Coach Darren.
On Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y., Coach Darren Zyra does a sharp turn towards the fast moving hockey puck. "I haven't played a game all season so I'm a little out of shape" says Coach Darren.
Rochester Americans's, Steve Wamp (right) and fellow team member, race to the other side of the rink in order to reach the puck in time on Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y. The Syracuse Flyers win 3-1 against the Rochester Americans.
After the game, Scotty Zyra (left) relaxes on the ice as his older brother, Jack Zyra (right) unstraps himself from his sled on Dec. 09, 2019 at the Skaneateles YMCA Ice Hockey Arena in Skaneateles, N.Y. Jack's dad and younger brother, Scotty, are on the team to show their support for him and help raise awareness of more accessible sports for people with disabilities.
Coach Darren Zyra speaks to a teenager who is thinking of joining the Rochester Sled Hockey team on Dec. 11, 2019 in Rochester, NY. Darren Zyra, created the Rochester sled Hockey team in 2014 to help his son be more physically active but also feel more independent.
Jack Zyra races around the ice skating rink in Rochester, NY in Manhattan Square Park on Dec. 11, 2019.