The Rotary Club of Apex, North Carolina donated $250 to Hurricanes Sled Hockey, a nonprofit founded by Brian and Kelly Jacoby in 2018 that now includes over 50 junior and adult athletes. Hurricanes Sled Hockey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit adaptive sports program based in Raleigh, North Carolina. It provides individuals with physical disabilities—including amputees, cancer survivors, individuals with spina bifida, and wounded veterans the opportunity to play competitive ice hockey.
The program was inspired by Tyler Jacoby, who was born with spina bifida. Determined to hit the ice after watching the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006, Tyler originally played while being pushed on a metal folding chair before transitioning to a sled. Seeing how independent and liberated he felt, his parents, Brian and Kelly Jacoby, officially incorporated Hurricanes Sled Hockey as a non-profit in September 2018 with backing from the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation and local community groups.
Key Facts About the Program
- Growth & Scale: Starting with just 9 players in 2018, the program has grown to serve over 50 rostered travel athletes across multiple divisions, including Adult, Junior, and Novice teams.
- True Accessibility: To break down financial barriers, the program is offered at little to no cost to the athletes. This is an intentional effort by the Jacobys, given that custom anti-tip sleds, gear, and ice time can easily cost upwards of $1,000 per player.
- Championship Pedigree: The organization has achieved major success on the national stage, securing 5 National Tournament Championships and 2 USA Hockey National Championships.
- Paralympic Success: The program reached a historic milestone in March 2026 when 19-year-old team product Kayden Beasley won a Paralympic Gold Medal with Team USA at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.
- Inclusive Play: Unlike traditional hockey leagues, the program's adult travel division allows fully able-bodied players to sit in sleds and compete alongside disabled teammates, ensuring the team always has enough players to sustain league eligibility.
The program's operations are sustained entirely through donations, community grants (such as funding from the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation), corporate sponsorships, and volunteer-led fundraisers like casino nights and golf tournaments. Local civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Apex, partner with and advocate for projects like this to foster community inclusivity and "service above self".
