Para Hockey Series Canada v. USA: Competitive Preview

Calgary, AB – Hockey Canada has announced the players who will be part of Canada's national para hockey team for a three-game series against the United States March 11-16 at MAYSA Arena in Minot, North Dakota, TN. In total, two goaltenders, five defensemen and nine forwards – including twelve members of the silver medal-winning team at the 2023 IBC World Para Ice Hockey Championship – were selected by the coach-in-chief. Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON) and his representatives Mike Fountain (Cravenhurst, ON), Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC) And Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON).

“We can expect a strong level of competition against our rivals ahead of the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in May,” Herrington said. Our team intends to build on the work accomplished so far in 2023-2024 and will do everything possible to build a team that reflects our image. We are excited to see the National Women's Team participating in this event. Those in Minot will be treated to a spectacle. »

Other personnel working with Canada's national para hockey team during the series include:

• Video trainer Andrew Boucher (Timmins, ON)
• Team Doctor D^D Daniel Kelton (Guelph, ON)
• Physiotherapist Tracey Melloch (Essex, ON)
• Device Managers Grant Boswall (Cornwall, PE) And AJ Murley (St. John's, NL)
• Responsible for hockey operations Mitchell Furlot (Bathurst, NB) And Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)

Canada's women's para hockey team will also participate in the cross-border series. This means the men's and women's events will be in the same event for the first time. Mixed training will also be held with the women's team. This comes in addition to three games against the USA – March 13 at 1 pm CT, March 15 at 6 pm CT and March 16 at 3:30 pm CT.

“Competing alongside the women's team marks a major milestone for para hockey and its growth,” said Scott Salmond, Senior Vice President of High Performance and Hockey Operations. “We have to thank the Hockey Canada Foundation and Sport Canada for their support of this initiative. We are delighted to continue this relationship which will greatly benefit both companies. Such collaboration with Canadian Women's Para Hockey fits well with our efforts to promote Para Hockey across the country and around the world. »

Canada Women's Para Hockey also announced its roster for a three-game series against the United States Women's Sledge Hockey Development Team in Minot.

Three goalkeepers, seven defenders and nine forwards – Players from six different provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec) – were selected for the event. The team will face the Americans on March 13 at 3pm CT, March 15 at 3pm CT and March 16 at 12:30pm CT at MAYSA Arena.

“The series in Minot against the USA provides an opportunity for Canada's elite men's and women's para hockey to share the stage for the first time,” commented Derek Whitson, interim head coach of Canada's women's para hockey team. “Women's Para Hockey has seen tremendous growth in recent times and this is thanks to the athletes' dedication to the game. We are very happy to continue this collaboration to improve the game and open up new perspectives. »

This is the first of two three-match series against the USA, men's and women's. The second match will be held in Calgary on the 1st^R Until April 6.

To learn more about Hockey Canada and Canada's national para hockey team, visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow on social media Facebook, X And Instagram.