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Vic Calise: US Sled Hockey Team
interviewed by Anthony Qaiyum on 22 March, 1996
"You strap yourself into the sled -- you become the sled."
Victor Calise, 24 years old, is a member of the US Sled Hockey team, and currently in training for the 1998 Para-Olympics. His recent rise to fame brought him to Elizabeth Hurley's attention, though he claims he didn't think much of her.
Tripod: I understand that you're leaving tomorrow to play ice hockey in Sweden in the Para-Olympics?
VC: Actually, we're leaving for Minnesota tomorrow, to practice with USA hockey for four days, and then we're leaving for Sweden on the 26th.
Tripod: Wow, that's cool. Can you tell me a little bit more about the games?
VC: Well, actually, we're going to be in Sweden from the 26th to the 7th, where there's going to be nine different countries playing, including ours. It's called the World Cup, it's in preparation for the Para-Olympics in 1998, which is going to be held in Ogana, Japan.
Tripod: Is this all sports, or just ice hockey?
VC: All winter sports will be held in Japan in 98.
Tripod: Have you guys heard any scouting reports about the other teams?
VC: Well, the World Cup team that played last year said that Sweden and Norway are really really good, and they're basically the teams that we're going to have to watch out for. And Canada, obviously, because it's their game. And who else -- the Japanese are going to be there; it's the first time they've been in the tournament. Finland is supposedly good.
Tripod: Is Russia involved?
VC: Yes, they're called Estonia, and they beat them last year.
Tripod: So there's a chance for the famous 1980 match-up, US versus Russia again?
VC: Yeah, that'd be great!
Tripod: Many people have seen wheelchair athletes compete, but I don't think many people have seen a paraplegic athlete play ice hockey.
VC: No, a lot of people aren't aware of sled hockey in general. We're trying to publicize the sport as much as possible. It's hard to get people to play here in the New York area. In Boston it's pretty big.
Tripod: Can you explain the type of equipment that you use?
VC: Yes, we sit on a sled, with ice blades on the bottom, it kind of looks like a hand truck with ice blades on the bottom. You've got some back support, and then you strap yourself into the sled -- you become the sled. And then you've got miniature hockey sticks, kind of like knock-hockey sticks. They have a different lie to the ice, obviously, because you're so much lower. They've got toe-picks on the ends, similar to toe-picks like figure skaters use, and you propel yourself with both your arms, and you control the puck with both arms, and both sticks.
Tripod: That's interesting, because I was wondering how you would both propel yourself and shoot.
VC: It's really high-tech, you'd be surprised. You can turn on edges, you can complete circles, you can turn, pick and shoot at the same time. It really gets intense.
Tripod: I know that in hockey, goalies generally have different movement requirements. Do they have different equipment?
VC: No, it's basically the same, everything is basically the same, from equipment to rules, as far as NHL is concerned.
Tripod: If you don't mind my asking, can you tell me a little bit about how your injury occurred?
VC: I was mountain bike riding, and I lost control and hit into a tree and broke my back.
Tripod: How long ago was this?
VC: About a year and eight months.
Tripod: Wow. So how long have you been training for the ice hockey team?
VC: As of July 1995.
Tripod: So was there a big tryout process?
VC: Yes, there was. Actually, it's a little weird, how it happened. When we first found out that sled hockey can be played competitively, we started practicing and really training, which was in July 1995. We were invited to Wisconsin to play some sled hockey with Team USA, so we played with them there. Since July 1995, we've gone to Boston, New Hampshire, and even Canada, to play.
Tryouts were supposed to be held in Minnesota at the beginning of the month, and what happened was, they saved us some money, instead of us flying to Minnesota, because they didn't figure we'd get a grant. So instead, they videotaped us, and clocked all our times, and sent the tape to Minnesota. Then, they looked at the tapes, and made their final analysis from there. We were supposed to go to Minnesota, but they wanted us to save the money, because they were anticipating us making the team. They wanted us to come down instead to practice with the team before we went to Sweden.
Tripod: So people are coming from all over?
VC: We've got people from Boston, we've got people from New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington -- I think that's about it.
Tripod: Do you participate in any other sports?
VC: Basically, I weight train, for myself, and I bicycle ride. I have a bike that I propel with my arms. And I ski. But nothing really competitive as far as anything else. That's just for leisure.
Tripod: I think that people are always surprised by the abilities of paraplegic athletes. Does it bother you that people aren't more aware?
VC: Yes.
Tripod: I've heard you're very involved in fund-raising projects. Can you tell me a bit about those?
VC: Well, I'm involved with the Alan T. Brown Foundation, to cure paralysis, and we do extensive fundraising. I also had my own event, which was a paintball event, fall last year.
Tripod: What did that involve?
VC: It was just people came down to play paintball, and we made arrangements and deals that they donate most of the money to the Alan Brown Foundation. That turned out well; I'm probably going to have another one this year. I played last year -- they got me in the woods and stuff, I laid behind some trees and had some fun with that. The Alan Brown Foundation also holds a golf tournament every year, that's their big event. It's the John Van Diesberg celebrity golf tournament, which I attend, and it's great, because there's a whole bunch of sports figures around. They also do other fundraising throughout the year, like scavenger hunts, smokers, you know, just fun events.
Tripod: I heard you recently had a meeting with Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley?
VC: Yes I did!
Tripod: Why did you meet with them?
VC: Well, someone had called me up from Mount Sinai -- the rehab facility that I go to -- and asked me if I was interested in doing a part in a movie, and I said, "Yeah, what the heck." So I figured I'd never get a call, and then I got a call that same day, and they asked me to come down for an interview. So I interviewed with the producer of the movie, and they said, "We'll notify you." And then a couple of weeks later, they asked me to meet with Elizabeth Hurley, Hugh Grant and the director of the movie. It was quite fun, but I heard that they already casted the part for the movie, so I wasn't fortunate enough to get it...
Tripod: I'm sorry.
VC: That's alright, just the excitement of meeting them was quite fun.
Tripod: Were they cool?
"Everyone said [Elizabeth Hurley] would be drop-dead gorgeous, but I didn't see it."
VC: Yeah, they were real cool. Elizabeth Hurley had on this black leather outfit. And she had this teaching look to her, so she kind of looked good. But everyone said she'd be drop-dead gorgeous, but I didn't see it. Maybe because of, you know, the whole makeup ads and stuff.
Tripod: Well, good luck in Sweden, hope you guys bring back the gold!
VC: Well, I'd like to. Last year they brought back the bronze.
Tripod: Well maybe you'll do a bit better this year.
VC: I hope so, I hope so. Take it easy.
Tripod: Adios.
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