SLED WINGS' THRAILKILL NAMED TO U.S. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL SLED HOCKEY TEAM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Forward Robert Thrailkill Jr. from the Grand Rapids Sled Wings adult sled hockey team has been named to the 2015-16 U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team.

This marks the third consecutive year that the 24-year-old Thrailkill has been selected for the squad. Moreover, this is the sixth time in the last seven years that a member of either the adult or junior Sled Wings – teams comprised of athletes with physical disabilities – has been named to the 18-man roster of the national developmental team, which trains regularly with the world champion U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.

Formerly a lance corporal and combat engineer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Thrailkill only began playing for the Sled Wings’ adult team in December 2012. After losing both legs in an explosion in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2010, the Pentwater, Mich., native spent the next 25 months recovering at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md.

The Sled Wings’ adult team is sponsored by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, which in partnership with the Griffins Youth Foundation also oversees the Sled Wings’ junior program. Together, the adult and junior Sled Wings squads have sent four different players on to the U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team since 2009.

+ Recent graduate from Sled Wings junior team
* Member of Sled Wings junior team

In addition, longtime junior player and current adult team member Susie Kluting has played three seasons (2011-13; 14-15) with the U.S. National Women’s Sled Hockey Team.

Thrailkill’s selection continues a remarkable year for the Sled Wings program. In April, the junior team capped off its third consecutive appearance in the national championship game by capturing the first Division A title in its 14-year history.

The U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team roster can be found at usahockey.com.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Forward Robert Thrailkill Jr. from the Grand Rapids Sled Wings adult sled hockey team has been named to the 2015-16 U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team.

This marks the third consecutive year that the 24-year-old Thrailkill has been selected for the squad. Moreover, this is the sixth time in the last seven years that a member of either the adult or junior Sled Wings – teams comprised of athletes with physical disabilities – has been named to the 18-man roster of the national developmental team, which trains regularly with the world champion U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.

Formerly a lance corporal and combat engineer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Thrailkill only began playing for the Sled Wings’ adult team in December 2012. After losing both legs in an explosion in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2010, the Pentwater, Mich., native spent the next 25 months recovering at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md.

The Sled Wings’ adult team is sponsored by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, which in partnership with the Griffins Youth Foundation also oversees the Sled Wings’ junior program. Together, the adult and junior Sled Wings squads have sent four different players on to the U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team since 2009.

+ Recent graduate from Sled Wings junior team
* Member of Sled Wings junior team

In addition, longtime junior player and current adult team member Susie Kluting has played three seasons (2011-13; 14-15) with the U.S. National Women’s Sled Hockey Team.

Thrailkill’s selection continues a remarkable year for the Sled Wings program. In April, the junior team capped off its third consecutive appearance in the national championship game by capturing the first Division A title in its 14-year history.

The U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team roster can be found at usahockey.com.