Brett Bolton of Rockledge High School began playing sled hockey when he was eight years old. He quickly developed a passion for the physicality and speed of the game. Following an invitation to a development camp by USA Hockey, he secured a spot on the development team. After a two-year stint on the development team, Brett was selected as one of the 17 members of the U.S. Men's National Sled Hockey Team.
Brett's notable achievements with the U.S. Men’s National Sled Hockey Team include:
- Making his U.S. National Sled Team debut at the 2022 International Para Hockey Cup, contributing to the team's championship.
- Scoring two goals and providing two assists in five games, leading to a first-place finish at the 2022 Para Hockey Cup.
- Winning a gold medal at the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championship.
- Skating in three games and recording an assist during the 2023 International Para Hockey Cup, which contributed to the team's first-place finish.
- Being awarded Player of the Game after a dominant performance in a preliminary round game of the 2023 Para Hockey Cup. He later played a crucial role in securing the U.S.'s eighth consecutive tournament title in the 2023 Para Hockey Cup Championship.
Brett's success is rooted in a volunteer-run program in Rockledge, the Space Coast Blast, which is an inclusive sled hockey program with an impressive track record of nurturing seven Team USA sled hockey players. The program also boasts another BPS student, Sebastian Hardcastle, who also attends Rockledge High School.
Both Brett and Sebastian remain unwavering beacons of inspiration, eloquently showcasing to the world that possessing a disability neither confines nor dims the vast spectrum of one's abilities and dreams.