Moose Jaw 2023: Get to Know Canada

The 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championships will take place from 28 May - June 4 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in Canada. The top eight teams from around the world will compete for the world title, with the top six finishers staying in the A-Pool for the next season. Follow along as we break down what you need to know about each team.

Canada

Background: 
Canada will play host to the World Championships for the first time in history. The nation has finished on the podium in all but one of its 11 World Championship appearances, having won the title four times, including most recently in 2017. Canada won silver at the last two editions of the event, as well as at the most recent Paralympics, losing to its arch rivals USA in the finals every time. At the helm will be Russ Herrington, who was named the program’s new head coach last fall after serving as an assistant since 2017.

World Ranking: 2nd 

World Championships History:
2021: 2nd place 
2019: 2nd place 
2017: 1st place
2015: 2nd place
2013: 1st place
2012: 3rd place
2009: 3rd place
2008: 1st place
2004: 4th place
2000: 1st place
1996: 3rd place

Athletes to Watch: 
Captain Tyler McGregor has led Canada in scoring at its last several major tournaments, notching eight points at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics and 11 points at the Ostrava 2021 World Championships. McGregor, who has been on the national team since 2012, is now one of the most consistent leaders and scorers in the sport. Meanwhile, Raphaelle Tousignant will be making her international debut with Canada, becoming the first woman to represent the country in a major international mixed gender competition. Last August, Tousignant led Canada’s women’s squad to a silver medal at the inaugural Women’s World Challenge.

Matchup to Watch: Canada vs. United States on 31 May
The USA has had Canada’s number the last few years, beating their arch rivals in both the last two Paralympic and World Championship gold-medal contests. But now for the first time in event history Canada will be playing on its home ice, and looking for the fans to play a supporting role in its favor.