For Hisham Mohammed of Upper Merion, wheelchair hockey changed everything, writes Sidney Snider for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
After a bomb left him paralyzed at age 8 during the Iraq War, Mohammed feared he’d never play sports again. But after moving to the U.S., he discovered the Flyers PowerPlay team and found purpose, friendship, and competition.
Now, the Upper Merion High grad has played powerhockey for over a decade and will help host the Powerhockey Cup this weekend at Neumann University. “I thought there was no sport I could play after my injury,” he said. “It really has been one of the biggest blessings of my life.”
He’ll be joined by teammate Michele Boardman of Telford, a Level 3 defensive player and chair of the team’s fundraising committee. Named 2025 Player of the Year, Boardman says the sport provides independence and connection. “Nobody is confined to a wheelchair – they give mobility.”
The Flyers PowerPlay, a 24-member team of players with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries, is now an official affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Powerhockey Cup runs Friday through Monday and will welcome teams from Toronto, Ottawa, and Michigan.
To learn more about the tournament and team, visit The Philadelphia Inquirer.
