Christine Whelan, FEO, May 14, 2026, Volume 7, Issue 18
Disbelief gave way to shock for Alan Dickson as the reality sank in last autumn that he was entering the Hockey Hall of Fame. It was a long, hard wait, but on April 17, he finally saw his name on the wall.
The 35-year-old, who has always used a wheelchair, has also played sledge hockey since his teens.
“I live for hockey. In the winter, you can find me in an arena. If I’m not playing, I’m watching a game.”
So, to everyone around him, it was no surprise that Alan had been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto as the “Most Dedicated” for his sledge hockey.
In a previous conversation with Alan and his brother, Taylor, they told me that sledge hockey is like normal hockey, except they are not skating but using their legs. They sit down and use sticks to move. The sticks have jagged metal picks at the butt ends to dig into the ice and propel themselves forward. They said that in the States, they say “sled hockey.” So, sledge is another word for sled. The bottoms of the sleds have skate blades.
They also made it very clear that sledge hockey is physically demanding. It’s full-body contact. No head shots and no hits from behind.
A previous quote from Alan, which he gave me three years ago, can’t be beat. “We are in a division, and so is the rest of Ontario, where it’s, strap your helmet on — and do it up tight — put a jock on, put your steel-toed shoes on, get yourself in a sled and get prepared to get hit. Because you’re gonna get hit.” He added, “A player usually gets tipped over at least twice a game.”
Alan is a long-time player for The Niagara Thunderblades Para Ice Hockey Team.
How found out
One day, Mary Miles, Alan’s team’s trainer, found a sign at a gas station.
Dickson explained, “It said, ‘Anyone with an Esso medal is eligible to get into the Hall of Fame.'”
Alan had the medal he received in January and held it out as he made the side comment, “Esso is the sponsor of Hockey Canada.” The front of Alan’s medal reads, “Most Dedicated”. On the back, it reads, “This award is a symbol of dedication, honouring the one player who most exemplifies unwavering commitment to their team both on and off the ice,” with the Esso and Hockey Canada logos.
The sign Mary found gave her an idea, and she quietly made her move by nominating Alan.
The email informing Alan that he was being inducted first went to his brother, Taylor, by accident. As a result, Alan had no idea what Mary meant when she told him in the dressing room a few days later that the Hockey Hall of Fame was looking for him.
“I didn’t believe her.”
It wasn’t until his brother sent the correct email address to the Hall of Fame that they re-sent the notification to Alan.
Alan, or “Sparkles”, as he has been nicknamed ever since the woman he calls his third mother, Jackie Daniels, put sparkles in his hair, shared, “This came as a total shock to me.” He added, “I play the game because I love it. I play to win the game, and I play for fun, but I don’t play to win awards,” he admitted humbly.
He does, however, appreciate what it means to receive an Esso medal. “This isn’t a medal of participation. To get this medal, you have to earn it. You have to really show up.”
Once the shock of receiving the email confirming what Mary had told him wore off, he shared a Facebook post announcing the news, then called his mom and his cousins.
A Trip to Toronto: The Hockey Hall of Fame
“On April 17, Jackie and friend Allan Snow, along with my cousins Sabina, Crystal, and Bonnie, and I went to Toronto.”
As they arrived at the Hall of Fame, Alan found himself shocked for a second time. This one was not so pleasant.
“Everywhere else in that building is accessible. The Great Hall, where the Stanley Cup is on display, is accessible. The Vault, where the old trophies are, is accessible. The exhibit area is not.”
Alan had to be carried up the stairs to reach the exhibit to see his name. Jackie and her friend, Allan, carried him down the stairs, making sure he saw his own induction.
“What they did was pure love,” Alan declared. “I’m a big guy. I’m not pocket-sized. They went way above the call of duty as friends. When someone carries you like that, it’s no longer friendship; it’s love.” He added, “But in 2026, they should not have had to do it.”
Alan feels grateful for his friends’ help, but wonders about the next person who comes along and can’t use the stairs. He says the Hockey Hall of Fame is a tourist attraction and should be fully accessible.
“I’m not asking for the world. Just a ramp at the threshold.”
Being Inducted Into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Alan feels excited and grateful, but he doesn’t see this as just about him. “It takes a lot of other people to make this happen. Without the Niagara Thunderblades Sledge Hockey team, family members, and friends, I would not be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. “
He says the Niagara Thunderblades are a family on and off the ice. “It’s the only sledge hockey team I would ever play for. I’m very proud to be in the Hall of Fame and to be a Niagara Thunderblades.”
To find Alan on Facebook, search Sparkles Dickson.
If you are interested in learning more about Alan’s team and sledge hockey, visit the Niagara Thunderblades Para Ice Hockey Team’s Facebook page.
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