The Dented Puck - A Blind Hockey Podcast

Steve Atkinson joins the podcast following his introduction to both blind hockey and the Dented Puck. As you will hear on the podcast, Steve has a long standing history with hockey in a place that has a long standing history with hockey. He also has an awesome announcement, and yes, he is for real. Support The Dented Puck & The Growth of Blind Hockey! 🏒 Love the show? Help us grow the game, share more incredible stories, and support the adaptive sports community. Every donation directly funds the sport's growthand helps the Dented Puck Foundation give more visually impaired athletes the chance to play the game we love. Support our mission & donate here: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4525645 Join the Community Outside the Rink: Instagram: Followe the Podcast at our Instagram https://instagram.com/dentedpuckpod Facebook: Connect with the Dented Puck Foundation community at [Insert Facebook Page URL] YouTube: Watch our latest video breakdowns, highlights, and foundation updates at [Insert YouTube Channel URL] Proud Member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

About The Dented Puck Podcast & Foundation The premier blind hockey podcast and member of The Hockey Podcast Network, hosted by Team USA Blind Hockey veterans. The show highlights athletes, leadership, and adaptive sports stories while supporting the Dented Puck Foundation’s mission to break down financial barriers for visually impaired and youth hockey players. What is Blind Hockey? Blind Hockey is played by athletes with visual impairments ranging from legally blind (20/200 vision or less) to totally blind, classified under International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) standards. While following core IIHF hockey rules, key adaptations keep the game safe and competitive: The Adapted Steel Puck: Made of hollow 22-gauge steel filled with 8 ball bearings, measuring 5.5 inches across. It rattles loudly and moves slower on the ice, but frequently dents upon impact—giving the podcast its name. 3-Foot Nets: Nets are modified to 3 feet high (instead of standard 4 feet) to keep shots low where goalies can track sound. The Clean Pass Rule: Teams must make one completed pass in the attacking zone before shooting on net. Referees blow a distinct secondary whistle to signal when a team is eligible to score. Player Positioning: All goalies are B1 (totally blind or blindfolded). Athletes with greater functional vision (B3/B4) typically play forward, while lower-vision players (B1/B2) play defense. Safety Protocols: Features no body checking, no-touch icing, strict crease violation calls, and mandatory full face guards. Support The Dented Puck & The Growth of Blind Hockey! 🏒Love the show? Help us grow the game, share more incredible stories, and support the adaptive sports community. Every donation directly funds the sport's growthand helps the Dented Puck Foundation give more visually impaired athletes the chance to play the game we love. Support our mission & donate here: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4525645Join the Community Outside the Rink:Instagram: Followe the Podcast at our Instagram https://instagram.com/dentedpuckpodFacebook: Connect with the Dented Puck Foundation community at [Insert Facebook Page URL]YouTube: Watch our latest video breakdowns, highlights, and foundation updates at [Insert YouTube Channel URL]Proud Member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It all began with the Showdown!  The first Showdown was held in the summer of 2021 after USA Hockey had cancelled the only event our community participated in annually, the Disabled Festival for two years running due to COVID.  The Podcast led to the SHowdown, the Showdown  led to the Foundation, and the rest is history.   Every game has been livestreamed since DAY ONE!  Catch every game here this weekend:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWKs1P5mQgpR8YaEQZ0rNzg   Support The Dented Puck & The Growth of Blind Hockey! 🏒Love the show? Help us grow the game, share more incredible stories, and support the adaptive sports community. Every donation directly funds the sport's growthand helps the Dented Puck Foundation give more visually impaired athletes the chance to play the game we love. Support our mission & donate here: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4525645Join the Community Outside the Rink:Instagram: Followe the Podcast at our Instagram https://instagram.com/dentedpuckpodFacebook: Connect with the Dented Puck Foundation community at [Insert Facebook Page URL]YouTube: Watch our latest video breakdowns, highlights, and foundation updates at [Insert YouTube Channel URL]Proud Member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Blind Hockey is an adaptive sport for the blind and visually impaired, which allows all players to use their remaining usable vision besides the goalies.   The sport is played on ice with typical ice hockey rules, except those to keep our goalies safe.  We also don't check, for obvious reasons.    Support The Dented Puck & The Growth of Blind Hockey! 🏒Love the show? Help us grow the game, share more incredible stories, and support the adaptive sports community. Every donation directly funds the sport's growthand helps the Dented Puck Foundation give more visually impaired athletes the chance to play the game we love. Support our mission & donate here: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4525645Join the Community Outside the Rink:Instagram: Followe the Podcast at our Instagram https://instagram.com/dentedpuckpodFacebook: Connect with the Dented Puck Foundation community at [Insert Facebook Page URL]YouTube: Watch our latest video breakdowns, highlights, and foundation updates at [Insert YouTube Channel URL]Proud Member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2026 Hendrickson Festival PreviewAs we dive into during the episode, so much good goes into putting on this disabled hockey festival from such a specific group of people. The Hendrickson Foundation is truly the intersection of the Hockey Community and Minnesota Nice. We welcomed Melissa Hadfield, President of Minnesota Blind Hockey, as well as Brady Hadfield, pretty much the president of everything blind hockey. to discuss the 10th anniversaiy of "Hendy" and the massive impact the Hendrickson family has had on disabled hockey#adaptivehockey #minnesotahockey #stanleycup #hockey #icehockey #usahockey Support The Dented Puck & The Growth of Blind Hockey! 🏒Love the show? Help us grow the game, share more incredible stories, and support the adaptive sports community. Every donation directly funds the sport's growthand helps the Dented Puck Foundation give more visually impaired athletes the chance to play the game we love. Support our mission & donate here: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4525645Join the Community Outside the Rink:Instagram: Followe the Podcast at our Instagram https://instagram.com/dentedpuckpodFacebook: Connect with the Dented Puck Foundation community at [Insert Facebook Page URL]YouTube: Watch our latest video breakdowns, highlights, and foundation updates at [Insert YouTube Channel URL]Proud Member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.