About the OPWHL

The Ottawa Power Wheelchair Hockey League (OPWHL) is a recreational and competitive league for athletes who use power wheelchairs. Founded in 2009 by a group of Carleton University students, the league was built on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the excitement, teamwork, and community that sport provides.

Today, the OPWHL offers an inclusive and welcoming environment where players of all abilities — whether new to the sport or seasoned competitors — can participate, grow, and have fun. Our season runs from October through April at the Greenboro Community Centre, featuring weekly games, volunteer coaches and referees, and a strong community of families, supporters, and partners.

The league is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency, a division of the Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (CEWHA), and a proud member of the North American Power Hockey Association (NAPHA).

What is Power Wheelchair Hockey?

Power wheelchair hockey (also known as Power Hockey) is a fast-paced adaptation of floor hockey designed for individuals who use power wheelchairs. The game is played indoors on a gym floor using plastic sticks and a lightweight ball.

Players use the mobility and precision of their wheelchairs as their source of speed and strength, allowing athletes with limited or no upper-body movement to compete at the same level as their peers. Many participants live with conditions such as Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, or spinal cord injuries, but share a common passion for sport and teamwork.

Power wheelchair hockey is not just about competition — it’s about community, accessibility, and empowerment through play.

The OPWHL proudly connects Ottawa to a larger network of power hockey leagues across Canada, the United States, and Europe, fostering both local inclusion and international opportunity.