The Minnesota PowerHockey League (MPHL), founded as the U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S. EWHA) was a grassroots effort by a group of friends to promote and develop the sport now known as PowerHockey. The original founders met at an MDA summer camp in the 80’s where they played a similar version of the sport and created an ongoing camp tradition competing for the annual “Stan Can”. With a passion to play when not at camp, the friends began to look beyond Minnesota for others who also played similar forms of hockey. Competition was found, first at an international tournament in Germany then soon after at various leagues and events in Canada.

As time went on and the sport became more organized across North America the U.S. EWHA began doing business as the Minnesota PowerHockey League (MPHL) to better reflect our Minnesota league, players and programs but the original mission continued; to be the headquarters where others around the country and world would be informed of rules, tournaments and can obtain support in starting their own team or league.

The U.S. EWHA / MPHL established the first US organized power wheelchair hockey league in the Minneapolis / St. Paul metropolitan area in April 1997. Now in its twenty second year, we have over 40 players on three teams who compete in an eight game regular season. The season finishes with the teams competing in a playoff tournament for the MN League Championship Trophy.

Beyond Minnesota, the U.S. EWHA / MPHL has helped support and lead the way for additional PowerHockey events and nationwide leagues and teams to grow. In 2001, Minnesota hosted the PowerHockey Cup; the first ever US tournament in history comprised of teams from the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. The tournament laid the groundwork and raised the expectations for the sport and future events. Today, through the North American PowerHockey Association (NAPHA), we work with all the US and Canadian leagues to grow and develop the PowerHockey Cup which is held every other year in various cities with PowerHockey leagues.

PowerHockey is a shortened name for power wheelchair hockey. The sport of PowerHockey is specifically designed for persons who require the use of a power wheelchair in daily life. Power wheelchair users have commonly been excluded from competitive sports due to being too physically weak. PowerHockey breaks-down barriers that challenge this portion of the disabled community. The athletes experience good, healthy competition all while learning important life attributes such as goal setting, teamwork, sportsmanship, self-confidence and self-esteem that benefit them outside of the gym and in their home, school, work and community.