CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team for a three-game series against the United States from March 11-16 at the MAYSA Arena in Minot, North Dakota.
Two goaltenders, five defence and nine forwards – including 12 members of the team that won a silver medal at the 2023 IPC World Para Hockey Championship – were selected by head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON) and assistant coaches Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, ON), Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC) and Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON).
“We are anticipating a high level of competition with our rivals as we prepare for the World Para Hockey Championship in May,” Herrington said. “Our group will look to build off the positive work that has been put forward to this point in the 2023-24 season and continue to push ourselves to become the Team Canada we have set out to be. We are also thrilled to have Women’s Para Hockey of Canada join the event and are anticipating a heightened level of excitement in Minot.”
The staff that will work with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team during the series includes:
- Video coach Andrew Boucher (Timmins, ON)
- Team physician Dr. Danielle Kelton (Guelph, ON)
- Physiotherapist Tracy Meloche (Essex, ON)
- Equipment managers Grant Boswall (Cornwall, PE) and AJ Murley (St. John’s, NL)
- Hockey operations managers Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB) and Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)
The cross-border series will also include participation from Canada’s women’s para hockey team, marking the first time the two programs will combine efforts at an event. The schedule includes a mixed practice with the women’s team and trio of games against the United States – March 13 at 1 p.m. CT, March 15 at 6 p.m. CT and March 16 at 3:30 p.m. CT.
“Being able to compete alongside Women’s Para Hockey of Canada is an important step towards the growth of para hockey, and a result of a large amount of support from the Hockey Canada Foundation and Sport Canada,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. “We look forward to continuing a relationship that will be greatly beneficial for both organizations, and we are excited for the opportunity to collaborate with Women’s Para Hockey of Canada to advance the game across the nation and globally.”
Women’s Para Hockey of Canada has also announced its roster for its three-game series against the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team in Minot.
Three goaltenders, seven defence and nine forwards – which includes athletes from six different provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec) – will play the Americans at MAYSA Arena on March 13 at 3 p.m. CT, March 15 at 3 p.m. CT and March 16 at 12:30 p.m. CT.
“The series in Minot creates an opportunity for the best Canadian men’s and women’s para hockey players to come together in competition against our rivals for the first time,” said Derek Whitson, interim head coach for Canada’s women’s para hockey team. “The women’s game has vastly grown thanks to the hard work and dedication the athletes put into their craft, and we are excited for this collaboration to continue to push the game forward and create more opportunities for the future.”
This is the first of two series against the United States for the men and women, with the second set to take form April 1-6 in Calgary.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Women’s Para Hockey of Canada (WPHC)
WPHC is a national organization dedicated to promoting and developing para ice hockey opportunities for girls and women+ with disabilities across Canada. With a mission to foster inclusivity, empowerment and excellence in the sport, WPHC provides resources, support and opportunities for girls and women+ of all ages and abilities to engage in the sport, whether at the recreational or competitive level. Through player development, competition, community outreach and advocacy, the organization’s athletes, staff and volunteers are committed to advancing para ice hockey for girls and women+ while challenging stereotypes and breaking down barriers in para hockey.
For more information, please contact:
Jacob Wolfenden
Coordinator, Communications
Hockey Canada
289-880-2469
jwolfenden@hockeycanada.ca
Danielle Bain (she/her)
Media Relations
Women’s Para Hockey of Canada
647-808-2246
daniellebain95@gmail.com