Calgary, Alb. – With less than six months to go before the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, Hockey Canada has announced 20 players who will be part of the Canada national para hockey team for the 2021-2022 season.
Two goalkeepers, six defenders and twelve forwards are selected by the head coach. Ken Babe (Saskatoon, Sask.) and manager of hockey activities Marshall Starkman (Thornhill, Ont.). assistant coach Steve Arsenault (Edmonton, Alb.), Mike Foligno (Sudbury, Ontario.) And Russ Harrington (Unionville, Ont.), as well as goalkeeper advisor Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, Ont.), also contributed to the selection.
The roster was selected from 27 players who took part in the Canada national para hockey team selection camp, which took place on 3–10 September in Calgary.
“We are pleased to announce the 20 players who will be part of the Canada national para hockey team throughout the season as we prepare to compete for the gold medal in Beijing,” commented Bebe. “The squad is a delightful mix of youth, speed, skill and experience, and we look forward to starting our work towards the Paralympic Games and getting the chance to represent our country on the biggest sporting scene.”
The roster brings together the 15 players who won silver medals at the 2021 IPC Para Hockey World Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic (Armstrong, Bridges, Crane, Dunn, Halbert, Henry, Hickey, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Larroc, Lavin, Lehouux , McGregor, Sisson and Westlake).
“We were impressed by the level of competition in our selection camp,” Starkman said. “Even before the camp started, we knew that we would have to take some tough decisions. We feel like we have picked players who will continue to challenge each other throughout the season as they seek a place in the Paralympic team. As the Beijing Games draw to a close, players and staff are thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Canada, and we look forward to bringing this group together as the season progresses to prepare for our goal of winning Paralympic gold . ”
The Canada national para hockey team will participate in various training camps and events during the 2021-2022 season, depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be two series against the United States and the 2021 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
Canada’s final roster for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is expected to be announced in February.
To learn more about Hockey Canada and the Canada national para hockey team, please visit hockeycanada.ca or follow social media Facebookhandjob Twitter And instagram.
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