Canada’s national para hockey team is back on the ice on P.E.I. for the first time in seven years, and that’s uplifting news for team members with a connection to the island.
Liam Hickey, the team’s assistant captain, is from Newfoundland and Labrador, but used to play with the P.E.I. Mustangs wheelchair basketball team.
He said it’s special to be playing close enough to home that his friends and family can come watch him play.
“Anytime I get a chance to have them in the stands definitely [has] a special meaning,” he said.
The Para Hockey Cup started Sunday in Charlottetown, and runs until Dec.14. Teams from Canada, China, the Czech Republic and the United States will compete for the gold medal. This is the fifth time the city has hosted the sledge hockey tournament.
Hickey said it’s an exciting opportunity to represent his province and Canada, but also for him and his teammates to show off the sport.
The United States beat China 10-1 in the first game of the Para Hockey Cup on Sunday. (Connor Lamont/CBC)
“Anytime we get to really perform with the other top three teams in the world is the best opportunity we have to put the sport on display, so I think that’s one of the biggest things we look forward to as a group,” he said.
“Obviously our main focus is to get the gold medal here, but I think that’s a big part that comes along with it and ownership that we take as members of the sport.”
We always feel like we’re coming back to a family here in a way.
– Liam Hickey, Canada’s national para hockey team assistant captain
Grant Boswall, who lives in Charlottetown and is one of the equipment managers for Team Canada, said it’s “pretty spectacular” to be with the team in his home province.
“It’s really neat to participate with Hockey Canada any time, but it’s kind of a little bit surreal coming back to your home province and living five minutes down the road from the rink that they’re actually playing in,” he said.
“So it’s definitely a different feel than being in the Czech Republic or China or wherever.”
Strong Charlottetown fan base
Hickey said there’s a strong fan base in Charlottetown and Team Canada loves to play there.
“We always feel like we’re coming back to a family here in a way,” he said.
Canada, China, the Czech Republic and the United States are in the event. (Connor Lamont/CBC)
Hickey said he was feeling excited heading into Canada’s first game, and Boswall said the players are “ready to go.”
“[These are] the top four teams in the world right now,” Hickey said. “So I mean, this is the best opportunity to come out and really see what para hockey is all about.”