A legacy left behind
A decade after Matt Cook passed far too soon, the foundation that bears his name is helping young cancer patients navigate their treatment much the same way he did
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November 12, 2020
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Lynn Cook chuckles about the day her son’s first sled arrived. Not Lynn, nor her husband Donald, nor Matt himself, knew how the thing worked.
Matt had attended the 2007 RBC Royal Bank Cup in Prince George, B.C., where his brother Brady was captaining the Camrose Kodiaks. After seeing a para hockey demonstration during an intermission, Brady thought the sport would be perfect for Matt.
“At the event, Matt met some of the national team and, soon after, Adam Crockatt (then manager of the national team) arranged for an old sled to be sent to Matthew so that he could try it out. I laugh when I think about it because, the day that sled arrived, it was foreign to us,” Lynn says from the family home in Edmonton. “It was like having two skates under your butt. We put it out in the front room and I put a bread board under the blade so I wouldn’t damage the floor and I sat on this sled and I tipped over instantly.”
Matt Cook was 19 years old at the time. A year prior, he had his left leg amputated below the knee after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. That procedure ended Matt’s promising able-bodied hockey career, which saw him rise through the minor hockey ranks in Edmonton and then with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
As a junior player, Matt was a giant on the ice, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 220 pounds. Fans noticed him, coaches noticed him and, certainly, opponents noticed him. But what made Matt Matt wasn’t just his work on the ice, but his personality off it.
“He was such a good hockey player and such a good positive spirit and person,” says Greg Westlake, a longtime member of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team who lived with Matt in Ontario when they were training for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. “It’s hard to put your finger on why somebody has that X factor, that star quality. He had the big smile, the tremendous positive energy.
“At the same time, he’s a 6-foot-2, 220-pound guy that could kill you. He was a tough Junior A hockey player that we couldn’t wait to get into our program and see what he could do with it and what kind of player he’d become. And then you get to know him and you’re like, ‘This is THE nicest guy with the most positive energy’ and we hit it off right away.”
Meeting guys like Westlake and others went a long way to Matt wanting to not only try para hockey (or sledge hockey, as it was known when he got into the game), but excel at it. When that sled arrived, he was a man on a mission, striving to reach the peak of the para hockey mountain by playing at the Paralympics.
He worked at the craft tirelessly, learning from friends like Westlake, Adam Dixon and Brad Bowden, all of whom ranked among the world’s best.
“Matt realized, these guys really are dedicated athletes and they worked hard,” says Donald. “Like every sledge hockey player, anyone who has tried it, Matthew would come home with blisters and his hands would be bleeding. But he was always holding onto his sled, always trying to improve.”
Matt worked his way to the national team and helped Canada win bronze at the 2009 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship. Although he was in prime position to earn a spot on Canada’s 2010 Paralympic team, his cancer progressed too rapidly, his health declined and he wasn’t able to compete in Vancouver.
Matt passed away at the age of 22 on April 4, 2010 in Edmonton, about three weeks after the Paralympics ended. His is a name that hasn’t been, nor ever will be, forgotten by so many in the hockey community.
Soon after his passing, Matt’s family created the Matt Cook Foundation, with the objective of providing comfort to young adults undergoing cancer treatment. Matt’s parents saw how difficult his journey was, from 18 when he was first diagnosed, to his death at 22. In between, Matt faced over 30 rounds of chemotherapy, along with multiple surgeries, including the amputation of his leg.
“A few months before Matthew passed away, we had conversations about various things we could do to make life better for young adults who were undergoing cancer treatment as in-patients,” says Lynn. “When you’re 18 years old and you’re thrown into an adult cancer treatment system, there are very few people who fit that demographic. You go in for cancer treatment and you’re sharing a room and hallways with elderly people and you are at that age in your life where you haven’t launched a career.
“All of a sudden, you’re cut off from your friends and all of those important things that happen during a young adult’s life, between 18 and 24 – the socializing, the Saturday nights, the camping trips with your friends. If you put yourself in the place of someone that age and all of a sudden you’re now expected to spend four days a week, in-patient in the hospital and do that for 30 weeks and lose your leg in between when your friends are all getting on with their lives, it’s really tough.”
The Foundation celebrated 10 years earlier this year. Its main initiative is the Matt Cook Foundation Cares Package, filled with items that Matt needed and enjoyed when he was going through treatment. Each package contains an iPad, travel bag, soft warm blanket, headphones, iTunes and Skip the Dishes gift cards, a flashlight and a journal.
To date, about 80 packages have been delivered to young adults fighting cancer at the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) in Edmonton. Many of those packages have been delivered by Lynn, Donald, Brady and daughter Marina. They have witnessed first-hand the impact the care packages have had.
Prior to the pandemic, the Matt Cook Foundation started another initiative – to renovate a room at the CCI into a space that is akin to a gorgeous hotel room, allowing those undergoing cancer treatment to host family and friends and allow for a little bit of normalcy. Lynn calls it a home away from home.
Bowden keeps pictures of Matt on his TV stand and fridge. He says Cook’s legacy isn’t a surprise, given what kind of a person he was.
“I honestly look back too and think [that] if he would have gone on longer, he would have been a leader of the [Team Canada] program, for sure. He was such a natural leader and a hard worker too,” Bowden says.
“I believe with Matt, anything he wanted to do, he was going to do it. I was so convinced that if anyone was going to fight through it, it was him. Just thinking about that and how much everybody misses him, it’s a no-brainer that he would have a foundation named after him. Whether he was alive, whether he is somewhere else, he’s the kind of person, and his family … just the type of people who always want to help and learn and grow. They’re very selfless people.”
To donate and learn more about the Matt Cook Foundation, visit mattcookfoundation.com.
National Para Hockey Team roster named for 2024 World Para Hockey Championship
17 players will go for gold on home ice in Calgary
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April 18, 2024
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CALGARY, Alberta – With less than a month until the puck drops, Hockey Canada has announced the 17 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team and compete for a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship, May 4-12 at WinSport Arena in Calgary. The roster – two goaltenders, five defenceman and 10 forwards - was 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 have been working hard to grow as a team since our initial evaluation camp in September. All of our players have shown resiliency and perseverance this season, which has made it challenging - in the best of ways - as staff to assemble this roster,” said Herrington. “Representing Canada on home ice is a special opportunity and we are confident this group will put in the necessary efforts to make Canadians proud from coast to coast to coast.” The journey to the world championship began last September in Calgary, where 30 players were invited to evaluation camp. The competition schedule included the IPH Cup in Ostrava, Czechia, the Para Hockey Cup in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, and two series against the United States in Minot, North Dakota, and Calgary. The roster features 12 players who won a silver medal at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship (Boily, Burnett, Cozzolino, Dixon, Dunn, Halbert, Henry, Jacobs-Webb, Kovacevich, Lelièvre, McGregor, Smith), and 14 who captured a silver medal at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup (Armstrong, Burnett, Cozzolino, Dixon, Dunn, Halbert, Henry, Hickey, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Kovacevich, Lavin, McGregor, Smith). The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team during the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship are:
- Assistant coach, mindset and leadership Liam Heelis (Georgetown, ON)
- Video coach Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, AB)
- Equipment managers Grant Boswall (Cornwall, PE) and Tyler Jay (Charlottetown, PE)
- Athletic therapist Tracy Meloche (Essex, ON)
- Team physician Dr. Danielle Kelton (Guelph, ON)
- Hockey operations coordinator Hannah Curlock (Calgary, AB)
- Communications coordinator Jacob Wolfenden (Hamilton, ON)
Canada will be joined by Czechia, Italy and Japan in Group B at the world championship, while Group A features China, Korea, Slovakia and the United States. Canada opens its preliminary-round schedule on Saturday, May 4 at 5 p.m. MT against Japan. It will face Italy on May 5 before closing out prelim action against Czechia on May 7. Fans can guarantee their seat by purchasing a full-event ticket package for as low as $99 at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets. All 20 tournament games will be available for free via livestream at HockeyCanada.ca. Canada has captured four gold medals at the World Para Hockey Championship (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017), in addition to four silver (2015, 2019, 2021, 2023) and three bronze (1996, 2009, 2012). For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Para Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Friday, April 5 | 6 p.m. MT | Calgary, Alberta | Game 2
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April 5, 2024
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Canada’s National Para Hockey Team is back to action Friday night on home ice, looking to bounce back from a series-opening loss when it takes on the United States in Game 2 at WinSport Arena.
Last Meeting & Last Game
The Canadians opened the series with a 5-1 loss to the U.S. in a Wednesday matinee. Corbyn Smith provided the offence with a power-play goal with less than two minutes to go, and Corbin Watson was terrific in his first Team Canada start in more than four years, finishing with 23 saves. The game was much closer than the final score indicates; the Americans scored three times in 24 seconds late in the third period – including an empty-netter – to pull away.
What to Watch
Smith has an opportunity to play his way into a major role as the season winds towards the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship on home ice. The Monkton, Ontario, native has been a fixture in the Team Canada lineup since 2016, contributing 42 points (15-27—42) in 79 career games. And with the Canadians down more than a few bodies in this series – they had just seven forwards and four defencemen dressed for Game 1 – Smith is taking advantage of his opportunity. Skating on the second line alongside Adam Dixon and Vincent Boily, he recorded his first goal since last year’s Para Worlds in Moose Jaw.
The dynamic duo of Declan Farmer and Brody Roybal continues to cause nightmares for the Canadians; they combined for six more points in the series opener, including goals from Farmer just 11 seconds apart in the dying minutes to put the exclamation point on the victory. Farmer (17-10—27) and Roybal (6-7—13) have been lights out against Canada this season, posting 40 points between them in just eight games.
Coming Back to Calgary
The series is serving as a final tuneup for both teams ahead of Para Worlds, which comes to WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park from May 4-12, the second year in a row the world championship will be played on Canadian ice.
Ticket packages are on sale now, with a full-tournament package (20 games) starting at $99, a medal-round package (six games) starting at $75, and single-game tickets starting at $15.
A Look Back
The head-to-head history between the Canadians and Americans is very close, with the U.S. holding a narrow 65-59-1 advantage.
The Americans have had the upper hand as of late; the last win for Canada came back on Oct. 29, 2021, when Anton Jacobs-Webb scored the winner 13 seconds into the third period, helping the Canadians earn a 4-2 victory in the opener of a two-game series in the St. Louis suburbs.
All-time record: United States leads 65-59-1 (13-8 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 242 United States goals: 274
Para Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Wednesday, April 3 | 1:30 p.m. MT | Calgary, Alberta | Game 1
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April 3, 2024
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The road to the World Para Hockey Championship comes to the home of the World Para Hockey Championship as Canada’s National Para Hockey Team opens up a three-game series against the United States on Wednesday afternoon.
Last Meeting & Last Game
Less than three weeks ago, on March 16, Canada closed out its three-game set with the Americans in Minot, North Dakota, dropping a 5-2 decision in Game 3. The Canadians played their best game of the series, twice erasing U.S. leads through Vincent Boily and Liam Hickey, but a pair of goals 12 seconds apart in the final minute of the second period broke open a tie game for the Americans. Adam Kingsmill was terrific again in the Canadian goal, making 24 saves.
What to Watch
The Canadians made a few roster changes from the group that played in Minot, including between the pipes. The puck-stopping trio in Calgary includes veteran Corbin Watson, the all-time leader in games played (84), wins (62) and shutouts (29) by a Team Canada goaltender who hasn’t appeared at a major international event since the 2019 Para Hockey Cup. The Kingsville, Ontario native, a two-time Paralympian (2014, 2018) and two-time world champion, will share the crease with incumbent Adam Kingsmill, who appeared in all three games in Minot, and Tyson Rietveld.
For the Americans, it’s (still) all about Declan Farmer. Widely considered the best player in the world, Farmer certainly played like it in Minot, scoring five goals and adding four assists across the three games to lead the U.S. to the sweep. The nine points gives the 26-year-old 38 points (23-15—38) in 13 games across all competitions this season, with 23 (15-8—23) coming in seven games against Canada.
Coming Back to Calgary
The series will serve as a final tuneup for both teams ahead of Para Worlds, which comes to WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park from May 4-12, the second year in a row the world championship will be played on Canadian ice.
Ticket packages are on sale now, with a full-tournament package (20 games) starting at $99, a medal-round package (six games) starting at $75, and single-game tickets starting at $15.
A Look Back
The head-to-head history between the Canadians and Americans is very close, with the U.S. holding a narrow 64-59-1 advantage.
The Americans have had the upper hand as of late; the last win for Canada came back on Oct. 29, 2021, when Anton Jacobs-Webb scored the winner 13 seconds into the third period, helping the Canadians earn a 4-2 victory in the opener of a two-game series in the St. Louis suburbs.
All-time record: United States leads 64-59-1 (13-8 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 241 United States goals: 269
Happy Thanksgiving from Hockey Canada!
2020 has been a wild ride. What are you thankful this year?
Canada’s National Para Hockey Team set for second three-game series against United States
19 players to wear the Maple Leaf against cross-border rivals in Calgary
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March 28, 2024
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CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team for its three-game series against the United States from April 1-6 at WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. Three goaltenders, five defence and 11 forwards – including 13 members of the team that won a silver medal at the 2023 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 great competition as this series will bring two of the strongest para hockey programs in the world to Calgary,” Herrington said. “We are looking forward to continue our team development towards becoming the Team Canada we need to be while giving fans an exciting preview of what to expect during the World Para Hockey Championship in May.”
The staff that will work with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team during the series includes:
- Video coach Steve Arsenault (Hamilton, ON)
- Team physician Dr. Ben Cameron (Summerside, PE)
- Physiotherapist Tracy Meloche (Essex, ON)
- Equipment managers Grant Boswall (Cornwall, PE) and AJ Murley (St. John’s, NL)
- Hockey operations manager Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB)
- Hockey operations coordinator Hannah Curlock (Calgary, AB)
The schedule includes on- and off-ice training and a trio of games against the Americans – April 3 at 1:30 p.m. MT, April 5 at 6 p.m. MT and April 6 at 10:30 a.m. MT. Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will be back on the ice at WinSport Arena when Calgary hosts the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship from May 4-12.
Tickets for Para Worlds are on sale now. Full-tournament packages (20 games) start at $99, medal-round packages (six games) start at $75, single-game tickets start at $15 and group tickets (for groups of 20 or more) start at $12. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit HockeyCanada.ca/ParaWorlds. 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.
World Para Hockey Championship schedule announced
Tickets on sale March 21 to see eight of the world’s best teams go for gold in Calgary
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March 20, 2024
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CALGARY, Alberta – With less than two months until puck drop, Hockey Canada has announced the schedule for the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship, May 4-12 at WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. “Hosting the World Para Hockey Championship in Alberta for the first time will be a significant moment for our organization and para hockey in Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “We cannot wait to welcome each of the competing nations to Calgary this spring, and to drop the puck on what will be an incredible tournament at one of the top facilities in the country.” Canada will be joined by Czechia, Italy and Japan in Group B, while Group A will include China, Korea, Slovakia and the United States. The two group winners will advance to the semifinals, while the second- and third-place teams cross over in the quarterfinals. The preliminary-round schedule begins with a matchup between Slovakia and the United States at 10 a.m. MT on May 4, before Canada opens its tournament at 5 p.m. MT against Japan. The gold medal game is scheduled for May 12 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The full tournament schedule can be found here. Tickets for the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship will be on sale Thursday, March 21 at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets, with full-event packages starting at $99. Medal-round packages begin at $75, single-game tickets start at under $15 and group tickets are available for under $12. "Calgary is proud to be partnering with Hockey Canada to host the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship," says Carson Ackroyd, senior vice-president of sales at Tourism Calgary. "We look forward to welcoming the players, coaches, officials and fans for the eight-country event that will deliver more than $3.1 million in economic activity for the city.” Hockey Canada is seeking volunteers to support the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship. Those interested in supporting the tournament as a volunteer can sign up here.
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.
One Leaf. All Heart.
The limited edition heritage jersey combines passion and history.
Para Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Saturday, March 16 | 3:30 p.m. CT | Minot, North Dakota | Game 3
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March 16, 2024
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Canada’s National Para Hockey Team looks to close out its series against the United States with a win in the finale Saturday afternoon at MAYSA Arena.
Last Meeting & Last Game
Canada dropped Game 2 on Friday night, falling 4-1 to the Americans. Tyler McGregor scored the Canadians’ first goal of the series on a second-period power play, briefly making it a one-goal game, but the U.S. used three man-advantage goals of its own to leave the Canadians on the losing end. Adam Kingsmill was terrific again, finishing with 20 saves.
What to Watch
Liam Hickey appears to be officially back. The veteran missed out on the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship last spring on home ice in Moose Jaw and was absent from the Team Canada lineup for almost 10 months due to injury, returning to post three points in five games at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup in December. The St. John’s native was terrific on Friday, setting up McGregor for the Canadian goal and narrowly missing on a shorthanded breakaway in the third that would have set up a thrilling finish.
The biggest key to victory for the Canadians on Saturday? Stay out of the penalty box. The U.S. counted three power-play goals on five opportunities in Game 1, after converting once on four chances in the series opener on Wednesday. Brody Roybal had a goal and an assist on the power play Friday and Declan Farmer added a pair of helpers. Farmer also had the PPG on Wednesday, with Roybal earning the secondary assist.
Calgary, Here We Come (Part 2)
These two teams won’t have to wait long to face off again – the Canadians and Americans will meet in another three-game series in the first week of April in Calgary, at the same WinSport venue that will play host to the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship from May 4-12.
A Look Back
The head-to-head history between the Canadians and Americans is almost dead even, with the U.S. holding a narrow 63-59-1 advantage.
The Americans have had the upper hand as of late; the last win for Canada came back on Oct. 29, 2021, when Anton Jacobs-Webb scored the winner 13 seconds into the third period, helping the Canadians earn a 4-2 victory in the opener of a two-game series in the St. Louis suburbs.
All-time record: United States leads 63-59-1 (13-8 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 236 United States goals: 267
Para Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Friday, March 15 | 6 p.m. CT | Minot, North Dakota | Game 2
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March 15, 2024
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Canada’s National Para Hockey Team gets right back to action Friday night as it looks to bounce back and even up its series against the United States at MAYSA Arena in Minot.
Last Meeting & Last Game
Canada couldn’t find the back of the net in the series opener Wednesday, dropping a 7-0 decision to the Americans. Adam Kingsmill was terrific in his 30 minutes of work, turning aside 13 of 16 shots to keep the Canadians close before the U.S. put four past Mitchell Garrett in just over five minutes midway through the third period.
What to Watch
Kingsmill has put a firm grasp on the No. 1 goaltender role with the Canadians. The Smithers, B.C., native was left off the roster for the World Para Hockey Championship last spring, but has rebounded with a very good 2023-24 season in the absence of long-time starter Dominic Larocque. Kingsmill made 28 saves in a gold medal game loss to the U.S. at the IPH Cup in October, and followed that up with a 10-save effort in the Para Hockey Cup final in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, in early December. With another Para Worlds coming on home ice in less than two months, Kingsmill looks to be the man between the pipes for Team Canada.
As they are wont to do, the U.S. spread around the scoring in the series opener. Declan Farmer was his usual terrific self with two goals and an assist, Jack Wallace put up the same numbers, and Brody Roybal and Josh Misiewicz had a goal and two helpers apiece. That’s what makes the Americans so tough to slow down – they can get offence from anybody – or everybody – on any given night.
Calgary, Here We Come
World Para Ice Hockey made it official earlier this week – the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship will be played May 4-12 at WinSport Arena in Calgary, Alberta. The home of Hockey Canada is no stranger to world-class para hockey; it played host to the World Sledge Hockey Challenge (known today as the Para Hockey Cup) in 2011 and 2012.
A Look Back
The head-to-head history between the Canadians and Americans is almost dead even, with the U.S. holding a narrow 62-59-1 advantage.
The Americans have had the upper hand as of late; the last win for Canada came back on Oct. 29, 2021, when Anton Jacobs-Webb scored the winner 13 seconds into the third period, helping the Canadians earn a 4-2 victory in the opener of a two-game series in the St. Louis suburbs.
All-time record: United States leads 62-59-1 (13-8 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 235 United States goals: 263
Salmond discusses diversity seminars (TSN)
Scott Salmond talks about the virtual inclusion and diversity seminars for national teams.
Para Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Wednesday, March 13 | 12 p.m. CT | Minot, North Dakota | Game 1
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March 13, 2024
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The road to the World Para Hockey Championship continues for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team as it opens up a three-game series against the United States south of the border in North Dakota on Wednesday afternoon.
Last Meeting & Last Game
The rivals last met in early December, when Canada dropped a 3-0 decision to the Americans in the gold medal game of the Para Hockey Cup in Quispamsis, New Brunswick. Adam Kingsmill was terrific in a 10-save performance, but the Canadians couldn’t find the back of the net.
What to Watch
As Tyler McGregor and Dominic Cozzolino go, so go the Canadians. The veteran duo were heavily relied upon for offence in Quispamsis, posting 10 points each – both had four goals and six assists in five games. The next highest-scoring player wearing the Maple Leaf? That would be Liam Hickey, who finished with three points. Cozzolino’s performance at the Para Hockey Cup pushed him past the 100-point mark all-time with Team Canada, just the eighth player to reach that mark, while McGregor went over 200 points for his career, joining Billy Bridges (428), Greg Westlake (369), Brad Bowden (320) and Adam Dixon (251) in that exclusive club.
For the Americans, it’s all about Declan Farmer. Arguably the best player in the world, the 26-year-old once again led the Para Hockey Cup in scoring, posting 16 points (8-8—16) to top the scoring chart for the seventh time in eight appearances at the tournament. Farmer has run roughshod over the competition this season, to the tune of 29 points (18-11—29) in 10 games, and he has 74 points (48-26—74) in 28 games dating back to the start of the 2022-23 season. Simply dominant.
A Busy Week in Minot
For the first time, men’s and women’s para hockey series will run parallel to each other, with Women’s Para Hockey of Canada taking on its American counterparts in a three-game set on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Canadian roster will include Raphaëlle Tousignant, who made history last spring as the first woman to play for Canada at the World Para Hockey Championship.
A Look Back
The head-to-head history between the Canadians and Americans is almost dead even, with Canada holding a narrow 59-57-1 advantage (although the U.S. has a 238-233 edge in goals).
The Americans have had the upper hand as of late; the last win for Canada came back on Oct. 29, 2021, when Anton Jacobs-Webb scored the winner 13 seconds into the third period, helping the Canadians earn a 4-2 victory in the opener of a two-game series in the St. Louis suburbs.
All-time record: Canada leads 59-57-1 (8-13 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 233 United States goals: 238
Canada's National Para Hockey Team to play in three-game series against United States
16 players to represent Canada against cross-border rivals in Minot, North Dakota
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March 11, 2024
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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.
GTG: Para players get First Shift experience
Young para hockey players had the chance to skate with Team Canada.
Roster named for National Para Hockey Team training camp
27 players to attend five-day camp in Oakville, Ontario
NR.007.24
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February 8, 2024
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CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 27 players who will attend Canada’s National Para Hockey Team training camp, set for Feb. 11-15 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario. Four goaltenders, nine defence and 14 forwards – including 15 members of the team that won a silver medal at the 2023 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). “This camp is an important step in our journey to the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship, and we are eager to get our group together and get back on the ice in Oakville,” Herrington said. “Our players have been working on establishing an identity and becoming Team Canada, and this camp will provide another opportunity to us to further instill those values with our high-performance athletes.” The training camp will include practices, off-ice training and a trio of intrasquad games from Feb. 12-15, and will serve as an opportunity to evaluate and prepare for future international competitions. 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.
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