BWSC
#HockeyChangesLives
Boundary Waters Sled Hockey Combine
August 2-7, 2026
Veterans on the Lake Resort | Ely, Minnesota
Questions?
Sled@HendricksonFoundation.com
Tony Lang | BWSC Co-Director | 612.363.2713
Dan Lilya | BWSC Co-Director | 218.260.6564
The Mission
The Boundary Waters Sled Hockey Combine (BWSC) is designed to challenge, empower, and inspire athletes to push past barriers and strengthen their independence—on and off the ice. Our goal is to help each player build confidence, skills, and resilience through the beauty of the Boundary Waters and the power of the sled hockey community.
Camp Highlights
Coaching staff will include multiple USA National team players plus seasoned sled hockey athletes working as camp mentors.
10 Hours of On-Ice Training at Iron Trails Motor Event Center.
- Sunday • Introduction at state-of-the-art, Iron Trails Motor Events Center in Virginia, MN.
- Monday-Wednesday 2-hour sessions
- Friday Final scrimmage
4 Hours Off-Ice Training in the Heavy Metal Sports Gym
- Michelle Moore and her functional fitness training, nutrition and personal health.
Visit to the USA Hockey Hall of Fame and historic Eveleth Hippodrome
Beyond the Rink
- Weeklong Fishing Tournament
- Hendrickson Foundation Group Dinner
- Daily guest speakers
- Seminars on nutrition, yoga, sportsmanship & goalsetting
Signature Event | Boundary Waters Canoe and Portage
- Yes, this is for all players – wheelchairs or not!
- Led by Boundary Waters guide and expert David Hicks and his team from CAST Outdoors
New This Year
- Campfire cooking
- Wilderness education & activities
2026 Combine Coaches
Erica McKee, a Chicago native, discovered her passion for sled hockey at age 9 and has spent more than two decades helping shape the future of the sport. A true pioneer, she became the first woman to earn a spot on the U.S. Men’s Development Sled Hockey Team and later served as its inaugural female captain.
In 2007, Erica helped launch the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team and continues to serve as a leader for the program. Most recently, she helped Team USA capture a World Championship title with the U.S. Women’s Sled Hockey Team, adding another milestone to an already groundbreaking career.
Erica’s impact extends far beyond competition. In 2024, she became the first woman selected as a coach at USA Hockey’s Sled Player Development Camp, further cementing her role as a trailblazer in the sport. Her accomplishments also earned national recognition when she became the first women’s sled hockey player nominated for an ESPY Award for Best Athlete with a Disability.
A graduate of Chicago State University and a longtime member of the RIC Blackhawks, Erica remains a passionate advocate, mentor, and ambassador for sled hockey. Through her leadership, perseverance, and commitment to growing the game, she continues to inspire the next generation of athletes and create new opportunities for women in adaptive sports.
Born in New Jersey without tibia bones, Josh Pauls underwent bilateral leg amputations at just 10 months old. He discovered sled hockey at age 8 and quickly excelled in the sport, earning a spot on the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team at only 15 years old. Just two years later, he helped Team USA capture Paralympic gold at the Vancouver 2010 Games as the youngest player on the roster.
Over the course of a remarkable international career, Josh has become one of the most decorated athletes in Para ice hockey history. A five-time Paralympic gold medalist and multiple-time World Champion, he has represented Team USA for nearly two decades while serving as captain since 2017. Known for his leadership, relentless competitiveness, and ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice, Josh has helped establish the United States as a global powerhouse in sled hockey.
Off the ice, “Spuds” is a respected motivational speaker, coach, and advocate for adaptive sports. Through clinics, mentorship, and outreach efforts around the world, he continues to expand opportunities for athletes with disabilities while inspiring others to pursue their goals without limitations.
Ralph DeQuebec is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, double amputee, Paralympic gold medalist, and one of the most respected leaders in sled hockey. After losing both legs above the knee in 2012 while serving in Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, Ralph found sled hockey during rehabilitation at Walter Reed and quickly rose to the highest levels of the sport.
A member of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team since 2017, Ralph has helped Team USA capture multiple Paralympic gold medals and World Championship titles. Known for his grit, leadership, and fierce competitiveness, he has become a cornerstone of the national team.
Ralph has also been a constant presence at Hendrickson Foundation events, supporting the growth and well-being of both adaptive athletes and veterans with disabilities. Beyond his accomplishments on the ice, he has helped expand the game internationally through coaching, clinics, and development efforts in Mexico and South America, creating opportunities for more athletes to discover the life-changing impact of sled hockey.
Whether serving his country, competing for Team USA, or mentoring the next generation, Ralph continues to lead by example and inspire others through sport.
Chris Douglas is one of the most respected forwards in sled hockey and a longtime member of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. After sustaining a spinal cord injury at age 11, he discovered sled hockey in 2011 and quickly emerged as a force on the ice. Following years of development through USA Hockey’s Player Development Camps, Chris earned his spot on the national team in 2015.
Since then, he has helped Team USA capture four World Championship gold medals (2015, 2019, 2023, and 2025) and two silver medals (2017 and 2024), establishing himself as a relentless competitor and trusted leader. Known for his work ethic, skill, and team-first mentality, Chris has been a key contributor to the continued success of the U.S. program.
Off the ice, Chris is equally impactful. Based in Minot, North Dakota, he travels throughout the country leading clinics, mentoring athletes, and helping grow the game at every level. He is also a founding father of the Hendrickson Foundation’s Boundary Waters Sled Hockey Combine, where his leadership, vision, and commitment to athlete development have helped shape one of the most unique and transformative experiences in adaptive sports.
Whether competing on the international stage or investing in the next generation of athletes, Chris brings grit, humility, and purpose to everything he does.
Kevin McKee, born in Davenport, Iowa, was born with sacral agenesis and has become one of the most dynamic and accomplished forwards in the history of U.S. sled hockey. After earning a spot on the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team during the 2010–11 season, he quickly made his mark by leading all rookies in scoring during his debut international campaign.
Since then, Kevin has helped Team USA capture four Paralympic gold medals (2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026) while also contributing to multiple World Championship and World Sled Hockey Challenge titles. Known for his speed, scoring touch, and relentless competitiveness, he has been a cornerstone of the U.S. program for more than a decade and one of the sport’s most consistent offensive threats.
Off the ice, Kevin is equally committed to growing adaptive sports. He serves as a real estate professional and as Chairman of the Quad City Adaptive Sports Association, helping create opportunities for athletes with disabilities to discover the life-changing impact of sport. Through his leadership, mentorship, and advocacy, Kevin continues to make a lasting difference both on and off the ice.
Michelle Moore is the owner and founder of HMS Functional Fitness in Ely, Minnesota, a 24/7 fitness facility dedicated to functional movement, mobility, strength, and overall wellness. A lifelong advocate for healthy living, Michelle has spent years helping individuals of all ages build strength, confidence, and sustainable fitness habits.
Through HMS, she has created a thriving fitness community offering a wide range of classes, including mobility, circuit training, spin, TRX, core and pelvic floor conditioning, and more. Her training philosophy emphasizes functional movement, flexibility, and real-world strength over traditional machine-based workouts.
In addition to coaching, Michelle provides recovery-focused services such as cupping therapy and continues to expand wellness opportunities for her community. Her passion for helping others move better, feel stronger, and live healthier lives makes her a natural fit for the Boundary Waters Sled Hockey Combine experience.
David Hicks is a Marine Corps combat veteran, professional wilderness guide, and co-founder of Cast Outdoor Adventures in Ely, Minnesota. After relocating from Texas to pursue a career in outdoor education, David and his wife Heather built an organization dedicated to creating meaningful outdoor experiences for individuals of all abilities through activities such as dogsledding, canoeing, fishing, and wilderness leadership expeditions.
A Wilderness EMT and passionate advocate for adaptive recreation, David has become a recognized leader in helping people push beyond perceived limitations. Through Cast Outdoor Adventures, he has guided countless veterans and athletes with disabilities on transformative experiences in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, helping participants build confidence, resilience, independence, and leadership skills in one of the most remote and beautiful places in North America.
David and the Cast Outdoors team have been instrumental partners in the Hendrickson Foundation’s Boundary Waters Sled Hockey Combine, leading adaptive canoeing and wilderness programming that has become a signature part of the athlete experience. His commitment to service extends beyond the wilderness through community involvement, veteran outreach, trail stewardship, and environmental conservation efforts.
Whether navigating a Boundary Waters portage, leading a dogsled expedition, or mentoring participants around a campfire, David’s mission remains the same: creating opportunities for others to discover their strength through adventure.
2026 Camp Logistics
Player check-in/drop-off
- Sunday, August 2nd at 11:00am | Iron Trails Motor Event Center in Virginia, MN. We will be on the ice for three hours here then depart for Ely. Van shuttle is provided by the Duluth DAV.
Cost - $400/player
Camp lodging is at Veterans On The Lake Resort just outside Ely, MN
Camp Wrap-Up
- Friday, August 7th at Iron Trails, with final scrimmage 12-2pm.
Full Documentary Episode
2026 PARTNERS
Foundation Pillars
Hands-on Heroes
Ripple Makers
