(TORONTO, ON. April 16, 2024) The 2024 Canadian National Blind Hockey Team traveled to St-Louis April 12 – 14 2024 to compete against the USA Blind Hockey Team in the fifth International Blind Ice Hockey Series. Team Canada is now celebrating their 5th consecutive win in this series as they continue to bring gold home to our nation!

The International Blind Ice Hockey series is a best of 3 series that Canada and the USA Blind Hockey teams have hosted since the inaugural event in 2018. Over this weekend, Canada lead the score board with over 30 goals: Game 1: 13 – 2, Game 2: 7 – 1 and Game 3: 13 – 3.

Team Canada features 20 players and six rookies making their Team Canada debut including the youngest player ever to be named to the team (Dante Giammarioli, age 15 from Edmonton). The team is
made up of players from across Canada from Vancouver, BC to St John’s, Newfoundland. 

Although this is a rivalry, it’s crucial for the two countries to work together to grow the Para sport of Blind Hockey. Currently only Canada and the USA have national teams, however there are now Blind Ice Hockey programs in England, Finland, Sweden, and Russia with the goal of founding a World Championships for the sport and establishing a pathway to the Paralympics.

“From the returning players to the rookies who played for the first time, the work ethic is unmatched across the board – that was some of the best Blind Hockey I’ve witnessed from our Canadian team,” explains GM Luca DeMontis. “All the Blind Hockey players who took part in this year’s International Series have incredible talent and this team is going to take this Para sport to the next level.”

The Para sport of Blind Hockey is played by athletes who are blind or partially sighted who have approximately 10% vision or less.  The sport uses an adapted puck that makes noise and is larger than a traditional puck.

The tournament was broadcasted online, and videos are available on this YouTube Channel. For more information please visit: www.canadianblindhockey.com

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More information:

Mel Carrey
melcarrey@blindicehockey.com
(416) 526- 8114