Sled Hockey Program at Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge is Life-Changing for 3-Year-Old Noah Turner
By Space Coast Daily // January 26, 2025
Sled Hockey program caters to individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities

Noah Turner, who just turned three years old and the son of Dustin and Amanda Turner of Port St. John, is among the newest and youngest sled hockey players at the Space Coast Iceplex.
BREVARD COUNTY • ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA – It has long been acknowledged that sports participation has positive effects on developing the potential of youth by teaching essential traits for a successful and satisfying life, such as self-esteem, goal-setting, social, academic benefit, and leadership. Sports also help children control their weight, reduce fat, prevent high blood pressure, and improve cognitive function, memory, and concentration.
Adaptive sports are activities modified to allow people with disabilities to participate, and sled hockey at the Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge provides unique opportunities for children of all ages with many types of disabilities.
Sled hockey was invented by three Swedish disabled athletes on a frozen lake in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1961 and has been popular in the Winter Paralympic Games since its debut in 1994.
The players at the Space Coast Iceplex include single and double amputees and paraplegics. They are disabled veterans, adults who’ve suffered car and motorcycle accidents, and youngsters with birth defects like spina bifida, autism, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Noah Turner, who just turned three years old and the son of Dustin and Amanda Turner of Port St. John, is among the newest and youngest sled hockey players at the Space Coast Iceplex, benefitting from the program funded in 2007 by Tim Szymula, who designated a portion of his estate to fund the program. The sled hockey program, “Tim’s Kids,” was founded by Tom Reinarts in 2009 and was recognized as a Central Florida Humanitarian organization in 2016.

Other key players working in the program include Lee Hathaway, Gary O’Neil, Rick Ninko, Jay Freeland, and numerous volunteers who have kept Tim’s program intact over the years.
“The program caters to individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities, and players can either use hockey skates or, if they cannot, we offer sled hockey for those who need to sit in a sled to play ice hockey,” said Hathaway, who was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 for his lifelong dedication to hockey.
Noah was born on January 26, 2022, at 29 weeks, at Health First‘s Cape Canaveral Hospital, weighing just three pounds. He then spent two months in the Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando.
Before Noah was 1, he had to have patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) surgery, which is done to close a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. Typically, this blood vessel closes after birth. But in PDA, it stays open. This causes some blood that should go from the heart to the body to go to the lungs instead.
Noah was showing some developmental delays and, around the age of 1, was diagnosed with Triplegic Cerebral Palsy, spasticity, and Neonatal cerebral leukomalacia.

Along with weekly speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, Noah was introduced to the sled hockey program by his uncle, Michael Hogan, a player on one of the Iceplex competitive league teams.
“Upon registration in the sled hockey program, we met Lee Hathaway, and without him, we would not have committed to sled hockey,” said Amanda Turner.
“He was the pivotal point in really encouraging us that all things are possible and that anyone can do hockey. Everyone involved in the Sled Hockey team has been amazing, gracious, and kind, including Lee, Karina Villegas, and every sled hockey team member, including 14-year-old Brooklyn Davies.
“We are amazed at how Noah expresses true dedication and love for a sport at such an early age, and we are confident it will be long-lasting,” said Amanda Turner.
Hathaway said Noah now strives to be a hockey player, just like his Uncle Michael.
“We are fortunate Michael is on a hockey team at the Space Coast Iceplex and was aware of the sled hockey team–he provided the guidance to get Noah started on the ice and has been there every step of the way,” said Hathaway.

Noah is an extremely intelligent three-year-old, and his mom, Amanda, said he is a true boy in his free time.
“He loves to eat, play with trucks, ride his bike, make a mess, aggravate his sister, and, of course, anything to do with hockey!”
Sled hockey, as the name implies, depends on a tiny sled, not much more than two skate blades, plus a runner and a seat, where players control the unlikely contraption with a double-sided, shortened hockey stick.
“At just three years old, Noah has already learned how to use the sled hockey sticks to propel the puck,” said Davies of Merritt Island.
“I have been helping Noah on the ice, and I believe with some more practice, he could be one the youngest and probably one of the most capable children to reach the Olympics one day – he truly has a lot of potential and is very smart! As soon as he got on the ice, he immediately knew exactly what to do with his sticks.”

Noah is glued to the television whenever hockey is on, and he recently received his own hockey set at home to practice. Sled hockey has also turned into a family affair as his uncle Michael pushes him on the ice, and Noah’s dad Dustin jumps in his own sled to be there for him.
Noah’s sister Allie has also decided to join in on the fun and has taken up ice skating in hopes of being a hockey player as well. Noah’s entire family comes to support him, including his Aunt Tara Abernathy, Grandma Susan Cart, Grandpa Dennis Lohaus, and, of course, his mom.
“Three-year-old Noah Turner is the perfect example of a person who is never too young to venture into a challenge,” said Hathaway.
“Tim’s Kids Sled Hockey needs more new players like Noah to join our program at the Space Coast Iceplex. The program supplies all the equipment and coaching needed to participate.”
To explore joining the Tim’s Kids Sled Hockey Program, contact Tom Reinarts at 321-720-2043.
ABOVE VIDEO: Lee Hathaway’s lifelong dedication to hockey earned him Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction in 2018. Hathaway discovered the IcePlex and joined the facility’s amateur recreational league in 1997, earning kudos for being the most valuable team player, the most assist, the general manager of the year, and the coach of the year, among others.