Canada’s nationwide para hockey group is again on the ice on P.E.I. for the very first time in 7 years, which’s uplifting data for employees member with a hyperlink to the island.
Liam Hickey, the group’s aide captain, is from Newfoundland and Labrador, but utilized to have enjoyable with the PEI Mustangs mobility system basketball group.
He acknowledged it’s distinctive to be enjoying shut enough to residence that his family members can come see him play.
“Anytime I get a chance to have them in the stands definitely [has] a special meaning,” he acknowledged.
The 2024 Para Cup started Sunday in Charlottetown, and runs until Dec.14. Teams from Canada, China, the Czech Republic and the United States will definitely contend for the gold medal. This is the fifth time the town has really organized the sledge hockey occasion.
Hickey acknowledged it’s an attention-grabbing chance to characterize his district and Canada, but likewise for him and his colleagues to show the sporting exercise.
The United States beat China 10-1 within the preliminary online game of the 2024 Para Cup onSunday (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 acknowledged.
“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 continuously appear to be we’re returning to a members of the family beneath in such a means.
– Liam Hickey, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team assistant captain
Grant Boswall, that stays in Charlottetown and is simply one of many instruments supervisors for Team Canada, acknowledged it’s “pretty spectacular” to be with the group in his residence district.
“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 acknowledged.
“So it’s definitely a different feel than being in the Czech Republic or China or wherever.”
Strong Charlottetown follower base
Hickey acknowledged there’s a strong follower base in Charlottetown and Team Canada enjoys to play there.
“We always feel like we’re coming back to a family here in a way,” he acknowledged.
Canada, China, the Czech Republic and the United States are all enjoying within the 2024 Para Cup inCharlottetown (Connor Lamont/ CBC)
Hickey acknowledged he was actually feeling fired up heading proper into Canada’s preliminary online game, and Boswall acknowledged the avid gamers are “ready to go.”
“[These are] the top four teams in the world right now,” Hickey acknowledged. “So I mean, this is the best opportunity to come out and really see what para hockey is all about.”
