A Sheffield Steelkings player said para ice hockey saved his life after becoming a playoff champion just a year after losing his leg.
Gareth Lawton, from Dronfield, had his leg amputated on 17 October 2022 after being diagnosed with a rare condition called complex regional pain syndrome.
Having been wheelchair-bound in the early stages of his recovery as he waited for a prosthetic leg, his physio suggested he played para ice hockey to stay active.
One year on from the surgery, Lawton was a national champion, winning the BPIHL playoff 3-1 against the Cardiff Huskies, in a magical and rapid climb to the top.
He spoke to The Edge about his experiences playing para ice hockey and how a sport that ‘sounded like Mortal Kombat’ quickly became his passion.