Liam Cunningham (sledge hockey)

Liam Cunningham
Personal information
Born (2008-03-05) March 5, 2008
Sport
Country United States
SportIce sled hockey
PositionDefense
Medal record
Para ice hockey
Representing  United States
Paralympic Games
2026 Milano Cortina Team competition
World Championships
2025 Buffalo Team competition

Liam Cunningham (born March 5, 2008) is an American ice sled hockey player. He was a member of the United States national team that won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

Early life and education

Cunningham grew up in a hockey family and began playing sled hockey at age seven, after being diagnosed with a degenerative bone disorder in his legs. He attends Saint Thomas Academy, a military high school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.[1]

Career

Cunningham made his first United States national team roster in 2023 at 15 years old, and made his international debut at the 2023 International Para Hockey Cup.[2][3]

He made his World Para Ice Hockey Championships debut for the United States at 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships and won a gold medal.[4] At 17 years old, he was the youngest member on the roster.[5]

On January 2, 2026, he was named to Team USA's roster for the 2026 Winter Paralympics.[6][7] He won a gold medal, Team USA's fifth consecutive gold medal in Para ice hockey at the Winter Paralympics.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Liam Cunningham". teamusa.com. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  2. ^ Voss, Gregg (December 1, 2023). "Liam Cunningham Embracing His Little Brother Role on the National Team". teamusa.usahockey.com. USA Hockey. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  3. ^ Henry, Ben (December 2, 2023). "Local teen sled hockey player makes it to world stage". ktsp.com. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  4. ^ Voss, Gregg (June 3, 2025). "U.S. Sled Team Back on Top of the World". teamusa.usahockey.com. USA Hockey. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  5. ^ Engel, Heather (May 27, 2025). "Cunningham playing beyond his age for U.S. National Sled Hockey Team". NHL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  6. ^ "2026 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hockey Teams Announced". teamusa.usahockey.com. USA Hockey. January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  7. ^ Pioske, Brooke (January 5, 2026). "10 Minnesotans Selected for the 2026 Winter Olympics". minnesotahockey.org. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  8. ^ Carroll, Charlotte (March 15, 2026). "U.S. beats Canada to win fifth straight Paralympic sled hockey gold medal". The Athletic. Retrieved March 15, 2026.