Northeast Passage Sends Four Athletes to 2026 Paralympic Games
The sled hockey team from UNH's adaptive sports program, Northeast Passage, sent four athletes to represent Team USA at the 2026 Paralympic Games in Italy.
Longtime player Danny Santos said the sport mirrors traditional hockey in nearly every way, from checking and penalties to rules and equipment, while making the game accessible to athletes with physical disabilities. Northeast Passage has a long history of Paralympic success, with athletes contributing to every U.S. gold-medal sled hockey team since 2002.
Among this year’s group of Paralympians is David Eustace of Stoneham, Mass., who lost a leg as a child after being hit by a car. Though hesitant at first, he grew to love the sport’s speed and physical nature. Eustace previously helped Team USA win gold at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics. Northeast Passage athletes Griffin Lamarre, Noah Grove, and Evan Nichols are also representing Team USA.