(OTTAWA, ONT.) – Three-time Paralympian Jonathan Vermette has officially retired from the Senior Men’s National Team.
Vermette, who joined the SMNT in 2013, played a key role in Canada’s impressive fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris—its best result in 20 years.
“I have been thinking about retirement since the conclusion of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” Vermette said. “However, I felt like the team and myself still had the potential to do great things. Remaining with the program for the Paris cycle was the best decision I could make. We had a tough road leading to Paris, with frustrating results at times, but the team always stuck together, and we achieved something very special in Paris.
“Paris was my third Paralympics, and by far the most fulfilling. Although a medal would have been amazing, it was the perfect way for me to end my career with the National Team, and I am at peace with my decision to retire.”
With a Top 4 finish required at the men’s IWBF Repechage Tournament to secure a spot at the Paris Games, Canada delivered when it mattered most, defeating Italy 72-60 on the final day of competition in Antibes, France, to clinch a Paralympic berth.
“I will remember Paris as a show of character for our team,” said Vermette. “With the new tournament format and only eight teams qualifying for the Games, I don’t think many people saw us qualifying. After losing our first three games at the Repechage Tournament in April, something clicked in our do-or-die game against Italy, an excellent team, and we beat them to qualify for Paris.
“Everybody showed up at their best for that game, which ultimately made the difference. The following summer was also full of challenges, but I think we learned a lot from it and stuck as a team.”
In Paris, Canada tipped off the tournament with a commanding 83-68 victory over host France, followed by a 68-52 win against Germany to close out the preliminary round. They then delivered a thrilling 79-67 triumph over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
“We started the Paralympic Games against France with a solid win and never really looked back after,” he said. “The team spirit was high throughout the Games and the energy was positive. I will remember Paris 2024 for the rest of my life.”
Vermette’s journey in wheelchair basketball began after a car accident near Trois-Rivières, Que., left him with a spinal cord injury.
During his rehabilitation, he was introduced to the sport through a demonstration. Inspired, Vermette, his sister Karine, and his twin brother Philippe convinced their father to start a team—the Sherbrooke Patriots.
Just seven years after his accident, Vermette captured gold with Team Quebec at the 2007 Canada Games.
He went on to compete with the Junior National Team, finishing eighth at the 2009 U23 World Championship in Paris and sixth at the 2013 competition in Adana, Turkey. That same year, he made his SMNT debut at the Americas Cup in Bogotá, Colombia.
Vermette played a role in Canada’s silver-medal run at the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, followed by his Paralympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio.
In 2017, he helped Canada win silver at the Americas Cup before competing at the 2018 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships, where the team placed 12th.
His success continued with a silver medal at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima. In Tokyo, the SMNT finished eighth at the 2020 Paralympic Games.
In 2023, Vermette earned his third Parapan American silver, securing Canada’s place in the 2024 Repechage Tournament, where they earned qualification for the Paris Games.
The 34-year-old also spent two years playing wheelchair basketball at the University of Illinois. He later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in urban planning from Université du Québec à Montréal.
Reflecting on his national team career, Vermette admitted that support from many areas helped him become a three-time Paralympian.
“First of all, my dad started a club in our hometown a couple of years after our accident. He is the first person who gave me access to this beautiful sport,” said Vermette. “My sister and especially my brother, who was with me along this journey and who made it possible to challenge each other in the best way.
“There are many coaches who made me a better player – too many to name but Marc Antoine Ducharme, who early in my career allowed me to step up to the next level. Mike Frogley taught me all the intricate details essential to becoming an elite player. Christian LaSerra was always present to give me wise advice. Finally, Matteo Feriani made me fall in love with the game after some questioning about my future as an athlete. Most of all, all my teammates who pushed me and who helped me become the athlete and the person I am today.”
About Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Wheelchair Basketball Canada (WBC) is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to excellence in developing, supporting, and promoting wheelchair basketball programs and services from grassroots to high performance for all Canadians. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem worldwide for winning six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal over the last nine Paralympic Games. WBC will host the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships from September 9-19, 2026.
For more information on WBC, please visit Wheelchairbasketball.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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For more information, please contact:
Dhiren Mahiban
Communications & Digital Media Manager
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
C: 416-574-6682
dmahiban@wheelchairbasketball.ca