Canada's Hockey Players Participate in Clinic with Soldiers

"We are ready to compete. It will be a difficult tournament, but we know we can achieve our goal if we all push in the same direction.”

Prior to departing for the 2012 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships, Canada’s team spent Sunday and Monday (18-19 March) participating in an Ice Sledge Hockey clinic with soldiers stationed at a base in Borden, Ontario.

The clinic was part of the Canadian Forces initiative Soldier On, which encourages injured and ill personnel to attain and maintain healthy and active lifestyles.

Canada’s team departs for the World Championships in Hamar, Norway on Tuesday. The event will run from 24 March – 1 April, and Canada will play in Pool B alongside the reigning European Champions, Italy, as well as Korea and host nation Norway. Its first game will be against Italy at 19:30 (CET) on Sunday.

"We are ready to compete. It will be a difficult tournament, but we know we can achieve our goal if we all push in the same direction,” forward Anthony Gale said.

In five appearances at the event, Canada has won gold twice and bronze twice, most recently finishing third in 2009.

“We’ve been building towards this event since the 2010 Paralympics ended, and we’re excited to get to Norway and get the world championship started,” head coach Mike Mondin said. “Our players relish the opportunity to wear the Team Canada jersey, and I have no doubt they’ll do Canadians proud on the ice in Hamar.”