The excitement and thrill of ice hockey will take on a new dimension for two dozen wounded warriors from Fort Drum this weekend.

They will take to the ice not on skates, but with double-bladed sleds for two fun-filled games.

It's a sport that began in the 1960s in Sweden.

Originally known as ice sledge hockey, it's now called sled hockey.
 
"We want them to have a good experience, have a good physical exercise," said Mark McKenna,
volunteer organizer.                                      
  
The wounded warriors will be using a modified sled and a small hockey stick with ice picks on the bottom to help them maneuver. 
 
Twenty-two men and two women will be wearing specially made jerseys when they face-off in sleds at the Watertown Fairgrounds arena Friday with the puck dropping at 9:45 a.m. and again at SUNY Canton's Roos House rink beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

It's all part of a donation-only fundraiser for the Fort Drum Warriors in Transition Unit and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The sled hockey games also give spectators a chance to pack the house and show support for the soldiers and their sacrifices made.         

"This is going to give these young men and women the opportunity to do something they probably thought they'd never get to do again," said VFW Post 1231 Commander Randy Burke.     
 
Autographed hockey jerseys from several pro hockey stars including former Calgary Flames and Clarkson University player Craig Conroy, Eric Cole of the Montreal Canadiens also a Clarkson Alum and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Devils will also be put on the auction block.

A signed photograph of Mike Eruzione's game winning Olympic gold medal goal in Lake Placid's 1980 Miracle on Ice will be auctioned off as well.

For the wounded warriors it's a chance for a piece of their own miracle on ice.