Over the course of a weekend tournament, youth sledge hockey teams from the U.S. and Canada battle for supremacy. Designed for players who have a physical challenge, the fundaments of the sport — passing, shooting, trash talking your opponents – remain the same. Director Sam Vint captures the end-to-end action as the Manitoba Sledgehammers do it all.

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The great Canadian tradition of hockey comes with its own sacraments and rituals, whether that’s trash talking your opponents, digging deep and giving 110 percent or partying hard with pizza and pop after the game. The Manitoba Sledgehammers do it all.

Over the course of a weekend tournament, youth sledge hockey teams from the U.S. and Canada meet in Blaine, Minnesota to battle for supremacy. An adaptation of ice hockey, sledge hockey is designed for players who have a physical challenge. But that’s about the only difference. All the fundaments of the sport — passing, shooting, checking, teamwork – are the same.

Director Sam Vint captures the end-to-end action, as well as quieter moments with parents, coaches and fellow players, providing a glimpse into this little-seen world. On this weekend, people with challenges outnumber the able-bodied, and the kids finally get their chance to just be athletes.

At the rink or in the hotel, the Sledgehammers dominate, loud, proud and having fun, led by Isaac Vint, an eight-year-old power forward with a motor mouth and unstoppable energy. It’s a team effort with Isaac, Evan, Alyssa, Natalia, Cooper, Elijah, Logan, Tucker, and of course, Paul the Wall pulling together, mucking and grinding in the corners, and supporting each other with humour and grit.

In the final game, the Sledgehammers face their greatest test yet. Will they bring home the victory, suffer the agony of defeat or collapse into their minivan tired from the greatest weekend of their lives? Isaac sums up his team’s approach with: “Let’s show America, what we got.”

“3, 2, 1…Sledgehammers!”

1) How long have most of the kids been playing sledge hockey? What draws them to the sport?

The kids in the documentary have been playing anywhere from one to five years. There are a variety of reasons that the kids play. Many can’t physically skate, it’s safer for people with intellectual challenges, some have siblings or friends that play, but mostly it’s for the fun of it and a sense of independence.

2) Competitive sport often operates in an exclusionary fashion, but the Sledgehammers embody some of the most positive aspects of sport (i.e., teamwork, determination, inclusion and accomplishment). How important was it to capture sledge hockey culture, both on and off the ice?

What I have learned about para sports is that they live up to the ideal of sports more than able-bodied sports. I have coached and played sports for decades, and I was immediately impressed by the inclusive nature of para sports. No one is left behind. The athletes are pulling for their teammates with more severe challenges than them. In a practice or a scrimmage and even some games, it’s not uncommon to see an athlete with a breakaway get the puck to a teammate so that they get to score a goal.

3) Given that Isaac is your son, was it difficult to juggle between your roles as parent and filmmaker?

In a way, it was easier to work with Isaac, since I know him so well. I had a good idea of what he would do and how he would react to the camera. What made it more difficult was having my family at the tournament. It was a busy weekend and there were questions coming at me from every direction.

4) Can you talk about the different communities that have come together as a result of being involved with sledge hockey?

In the stands, parents are helping each other with advice, we compare doctors, treatments, the services we receive, as well as how to travel, and so on. The kids are from all over the map—Syrian refugees, families with money, others without, athletic kids, non-sports families, and they all need each other. They have an appreciation for every participant since there aren’t many to choose from; they need each other to make this work.

6) How has being involved with the team changed your ideas about ability and disability?

This isn’t a film about disability but rather a film about adaptability, mindset, attitude, being resilient, using teamwork, competitive spirit and determination. It’s a great example of diversity and inclusion.