CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Para Hockey Development Team for a three-game series against the United States, April 27–30 at the Aréna Howie-Morenz in Montreal.
Two goaltenders, four defencemen and 10 forwards were selected by national team head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, Ont./York University, OUA) and Marshall Starkman (Thornhill, Ont.), manager of hockey operations. Assistant coachesMike Foligno (Sudbury, Ont.) and Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, Ont.), along with development team coaches Scott Walker (Cambridge, Ont.) and Jean Labonté (Hull, Que.) also provided input.
“We are excited to have this group together and get them into game action against the United States,” said Herrington. “This is the first time that our development team has been able to face the Americans in three years, and for many of these players, it’s their first time to represent Canada.”
The roster includes five players who won a silver medal at the Para Hockey Cup last November (Boily, Kovacevich, LeBlanc, Lelievre, Pellizzari), and five players who will make their international debut (Culmone, Daigle, Hurst, Stoppa, Mah). In preparation for the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship , Canada’s National Para Hockey Development Team will be joined by the Canada’s National Para Hockey Team for a series of practices and intrasquad games before taking on the United States beginning Thursday, April 27 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT. The two nations will meet again Friday, April 28 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and wrap up the series Sunday, April 30 at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. Admission to all three games is free. “This is an incredible opportunity for us as we prepare for the world championship at the end of May in Saskatchewan,” added Herrington. “We will use this week to get everybody together, get on the ice, practice, and evaluate the progress from our selection camp in September.”
Fans looking to secure their seat for the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship can purchase a full-event ticket package for as low as $99 now at HockeyCanada.ca. For more information on Hockey Canada, the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.