CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada has announced the 30 players who will attend Canada’s National Para Hockey Team evaluation camp, set for Sept. 2-9 at the WinSport Event Centre in Calgary.

Four goaltenders, nine defencemen and 17 forwards were selected by head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON/York University, OUA) and Marshall Starkman (Thornhill, ON), manager of hockey operations. Assistant coaches Scott Walker (Cambridge, ON) and Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, ON) also provided input.

“We are looking forward to kicking off a new season and bringing this hard-working group together at our evaluation camp in Calgary,” Herrington said. “This camp will allow us the opportunity to continue to build off a strong performance at the World Para Hockey Championship last June as we look ahead to competition this season.”

The roster features 16 players who won a silver medal at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship in Moose Jaw, SK (Armstrong, Boily, Cozzolino, Crane, Dunn, Dixon, Halbert, Henry, Huneault, Jacobs-Webb, Kovacevich, Lavin, LeBlanc, McGregor, Tousignant, Smith) and eight who won a silver medal at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, China (Armstrong, Crane, Dunn, Henry, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Lavin, McGregor).

“We’re excited for the start of our evaluation camp and to begin year two of the quadrennial following an incredible first year,” Starkman said. “Our veteran leadership will continue to push the level of play to our younger athletes in preparation to represent Canada in international competition this year.”

Following camp, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will head to Ostrava, Czechia to compete for gold at the 2023 International Para Hockey Cup, Oct. 2-8. The season schedule also includes the 2023 Para Hockey Cup, scheduled for Dec. 3-9 in Quispamsis, NB.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Canada’s National Para Hockey Team came up short in its bid to claim gold on home soil, falling 6-1 to the United States in Sunday’s gold medal game at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship.

Canada would have its chances, but it was the United States that held a two-goal advantage after the opening 15 minutes. The Americans would continue to add to their lead until captain Tyler McGregor (Forest, Ont.), who was named Player of the Game, would finally solve netminder Jen Lee 4:22 into the third period for Canada’s lone goal.

“I’ve been doing this a long time and the expectation and hope is to leave every tournament with a gold medal. You have to be reasonable as well and understand that the path for doing that is different for everybody,” McGregor said. “To be quite honest, for a core group of us, that has been really, really hard. We’ve had so many heartbreaks, but we’ve had new people that inject our room with so much passion and energy. You have to show up to the gold medal game under a lot of pressure, play your best, make plays under pressure and be ready for whatever comes your way. I think we’re capable of doing that and we showed that we’re at least on the path to doing so. It looks like a 6-1 game; we had our chances, we didn’t capitalize and that’s one of the differences right now. When they get the chance they make the most of it, that’s part of our process and we’ll get there.”

Dominic Larocque (Quebec City, Que.) made 17 saves.

A full game summary and recap can be found at HockeyCanada.ca.

“I think our players should be really proud of what they invested this year,” said head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, Ont.) “We talked a lot about not defining yourself by what you do or what you achieve; you define yourself by who you are and how you invest in the process to get there. We’re so proud as athletes and staff of the steps we’ve taken. It’s an arduous journey and we feel like we’ve excelled the process a little bit, but there’s a road still to travel to get to the top of podium.”

Canada finished with a 2-1 record in the preliminary round, finishing second in the Group A standings with wins over Korea (15-1) and Czechia (2-1) before falling to the United States (3-0). Canada then booked its spot in the gold medal game with a 5-0 semifinal shutout of Czechia.

In 12 appearances, Canada has captured four gold medals at the World Para Hockey Championship (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017), in addition to four silver (2015, 2019, 2021, 2023) and three bronze (1996, 2009, 2012).

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or following along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The rivalry continues as Canada’s National Para Hockey Team meets the United States again in the gold medal game at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship.

Last Game

The Canadians rebounded from a preliminary-round finale loss to the U.S. with a 5-0 shutout of Czechia on Saturday night in its semifinal. Dominic Cozzolino scored 26 seconds into the game, James Dunn scored two goals in 18 seconds and Zach Lavin added one of his own for a 4-0 lead after 15 minutes. Cozzolino rounded out the scoring in the third period, while Dominic Larocque made 11 saves for the shutout.

The United States booked its spot in the gold medal game with a 10-2 victory over China on Saturday afternoon. Declan Farmer had a hat trick and two assists, Malik Jones notched two goals and three helpers, and Brody Roybal also recorded a hat trick of his own. Jen Lee made two saves and Griffin LaMarre made three in the American win.

Last Meeting

Canada closed out the preliminary round on Wednesday with a 3-0 loss to the United States. Captain Tyler McGregor led the team with five shots on net, while Larocque made 14 saves.

What to Watch

Most of the Canada’s offence has come from the top line: Cozzolino, McGregor and Corbyn Smith. Together, the trio has combined for 23 points and 38 shots. Look for that chemistry to continue throughout Sunday’s game in Canada’s pursuit for gold.

On the other end of the ice, the Canadians face two talented netminders that have had strong tournaments. Together, Lee and LaMerre have given up only three goals. Heading into the gold medal game, Lee sports a .909 save percentage and LaMarre sits at .900.

Look Back

Although Canada has the historical edge over the United States, the Americans have been tough competition as of late. Canada has not beaten its southern neighbour in nearly two years, recording a 4-2 win on Oct. 29, 2021, during a two-game mini-series in St. Louis, Mo.

All-time record: Canada leads 59-56-1
Canada goals: 232
United States goals: 232

GAME STATISTICS | LIVE GAME BLOG

MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan – Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will face the United States in the gold medal game following a 5-0 shutout of Czechia on Saturday night at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

• James Dunn (Wallacetown, Ont.) had a pair of goals, scoring them 18 seconds apart in the first period.
• Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, Ont.) also scored a pair of goals.
• Zach Lavin (Essex, Ont.) added Canada’s other goal.
• Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.) added two first period assists to give him 250 career points with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team. He finished with three assists in the game.
• Tyler McGregor (Forest, Ont.) chipped in with a pair of helpers.
• Auren Halbert (Calgary, Alta.) also added an assist.
• Dominic Larocque (Quebec City, Que.) stopped all 11 shots.
• Canada outshot Czechia 24-11. 

Next Game:

Canada vs. United States – Sunday, June 4 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT)

All games from the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship are available via livestream at HockeyCanada.ca.  

Quotes:

“The start by our first line was big and it started the game well for us. We had the momentum early, but we also had to battle through and get back to our defensive structure for the win. Even with a few moments where we lost our touch, we’re a young group and I like the path that we’re on. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Tonight, we’ll get our rest, flip the page and get excited for the next game.”

• Lavin on the team’s performance

 

“I think we just played the way we wanted to: playing defensively which led to offence early on. We continued that throughout the game and it worked well for us. They’re a very physical and strong team, we knew that and we just adapted well to it. I think getting pucks deep and getting on the offensive attack really helped us.”

• Dunn on withstanding the physicality and play of Czechia

 

“It’s going to require the same of what it required tonight—our best version. The difference is our best version has to be better than today’s, which had to be better than Wednesday (when we played the U.S.). They’re the best team in the world and if you want to become the best you have to beat the best, so we’re looking forward to the opportunity. We also have to go into the game with some belief because there have been lots of games we have played [against] them and we don’t. They are a great team and we appreciate how good that forces us to be. I think that we have the belief that we can hang in long enough and take advantage of a raucous crowd to push us over the hump we haven’t gotten over in quite awhile.”

-           Head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, Ont.) on facing the United States for gold

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

After two rest days, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team returns to action in Moose Jaw, Sask., meeting Czechia for the second time this tournament in the semifinals of the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship.

Last Game

Canada closed out the preliminary round with a 3-0 loss to the United States. Captain Tyler McGregor led the team with five shots on net. Brody Roybal and Jack Wallace gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead before Travis Dodson added an empty-net goal late in the game. Dominic Larocque made 14 saves in the prelim finale.

Czechia secured its spot in the semifinals with a 4-0 win over Italy on Friday afternoon. Zdenek Habl and Pavel Kubes scored only 49 seconds apart in the middle frame, then Michael Geier added a shorthanded goal to give the Czechs a 3-0 lead after 30 minutes.

Last Meeting

Canada recorded its second win of the tournament after edging Czechia 2-1 on Tuesday night. McGregor opened scoring for the second game in a row and Adam Dixon scored the game-winning goal on the power play in the second period. Larocque made nine saves between the pipes for Canada in his first start at this year’s Para Worlds.

What to Watch

A veteran on Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, Larocque’s calm and focused approach in net has been a big boost for Canada over the years. The 35-year-old was previously named top goaltender at the 2019 and 2021 World Para Hockey Championships. In two starts in Moose Jaw, Larocque has a .885 saves percentage and a 1.52 goals-against average between the pipes.

Radek Zelinka and Greier are leading Czechia’s offence in this tournament. Zelinka has two goals in four games—one of which was a power-play goal against Canada. Greier leads his team with two goals and five points. In order for Canada to be successful, it needs to limit Zelinka and Greier's scoring chances throughout the game.

Look Back

Counting Canada’s win against Czechia earlier this week, the Canadians have won all 13 meetings.

These countries first met at the 2009 world championship on Czech ice, where Canada downed the hosts 3-0 in a game that saw Billy Bridges, Canada’s all-time leading scorer, net a pair of goals.

All-time record: Canada leads 13-0-0
Canada goals: 53
Czechia goals: 3

A representation of unity will be front and centre during the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship thanks to a collaboration between two local Indigenous artists.

Brandy Jones is an Inuit artist who moved to Regina from British Columbia when she was 12 years old. Her work involves mixed mediums of native arts, representing unity among all Indigenous peoples. Rodger W. Ross is of Métis/Cree descent and a member of the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan. He is a multi-disciplined artist and an international award-winning documentary film producer, whose career spans four decades.

Read on to learn more about Player of the Game artwork. Answers have been slightly edited for clarity and length.

Hockey Canada (HC): How did this collaboration come together for the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship?

Rodger Ross (RR): I've worked with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the past. I did a cultural presentation to them first, and then I created an orange shirt design for them. When the situation came up with the World Para Hockey Championship, one of the ladies that I worked with reached out and gave my information. […] Seeing how Brandy’s [art form] works so well for these forms, it just seemed like a perfect collaboration. So, when I was asked [who I would recommend], she was the first name [I suggested].

Brandy Jones (BJ): Rodger has always been a very big support of my work. Not just on giving me advice, but sometimes when it comes to collaboration with the work as well, there's things that he sees in my work as I'm going along. He has a very good eye for it. For example, in the hockey helmet, at first it was connected to the feather that was attached there. And he was like, “You should put a white line to separate that.” That's something that I hadn't even seen yet. I'm always willing to work with Rodger because he always has the coolest jobs… I'm always very happy to oblige.

Captain Marc-André Plante and squadron aircraft maintenance engineering officer Nadia Kang of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds present Dominic Cozzolino with the player of the game award on May 29, 2023.

HC: What is the inspiration behind the design of the Player of the Game artwork?

RR: When we first got approached, I wanted to know more about the game because I haven't watched a lot of [para hockey]. But I've watched some para hockey, and I'm so impressed by it, because I'm a former hockey player as well. […] When I'm watching these players and how they move, the power that they have and that constant flow of energy, that to me had to be the centerpiece. […] The first thing I wanted was that hockey player in the middle, and I wanted that movement because Brandy’s art form works with that movement so well. And then I thought the best way to have the country's representatives is through their flags. […] Having the Métis flag, the Saskatchewan flag, the Treaty 4 flag, obviously the Canada flag is represented in the logo itself—to me, those seemed like the natural elements.

BJ: I think it's perfect the way that it came out. It’s the design for me that just feels like it represents Canada.

HC: Brandy, you also created another artwork for event stakeholders. What was the inspiration behind that piece?

BJ: It's a Thunderbird. Sometimes it's hard for people to decipher that type of work. Some people see it right away, and then other times people are looking in there thinking, “What is that?” That is something that Rodger and I had discussed. We had looked at the Four Directions and what represented each of those directions. For me, I really tried hard to mix those animals together. But I was finding that very hard to do at the time. I tried to just look at what I thought was the most powerful out of all four of those. I did add a bear in there as well, within the body. But for some reason, it was the Thunderbird that really stuck out to me, because there are bringers of the thunder. It’s kind of as simple as that it, it was the animal that I thought was the most powerful and stood out the most to represent what we were doing at the time.

HC: This is the first time the World Para Hockey Championship has been hosted in Canada. How does it feel knowing your contribution will be associated with the legacy of the event?

BJ: That’s so hard to answer because it just feels really incredible. There's no other way to describe it other than that; it's beautiful being able to represent like my country and also the province that I live in. It was definitely a labour of love, and I could not be happier.

RR: For me, it's always about relationships, and as far as Indigenous inclusion, any time that that I get invited to allow our voices to be heard, to allow our people to be represented, it's always going to be a great honour. But I also look at it as an obligation to reconciliation. […] It makes me feel very, very proud to be able to participate at this level, to be in an international event, and to be a part of that. For Brandy and I to be invited to hand out that award between the United States and Canada, with the world watching, I think is a pretty powerful statement of, “We haven't gone anywhere, and we're not going anywhere,” We're here, and we have beautiful cultures among us. It’s time that our voices be heard.

GAME STATISTICS | LIVE GAME BLOG

MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan – Canada’s National Para Hockey Team closed out preliminary-round play falling 3-0 to its American rivals at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship on Wednesday night.

• Dominic Larocque (Quebec City, Que.) turned aside 14 of 16 shots and was named player of the game.
• Offensively, Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, Ont.) led all forwards with 20:14 of ice time; while defensively Zach Lavin (Essex, Ont.) registered 25:00 minutes.
• The U.S. outshot Canada 16-9.

Next Game:

Canada vs. Italy or Czechia – Saturday, June 3 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT)

All games from the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship are available via livestream at HockeyCanada.ca.  

Quotes:

“It was a pretty good game; the Americans know us really well and we know them. It’s always a tight game and we have a new team. It’s a new year for us, new guys on the team, but it’s part of the process to build on that. Win or lose, we’ll build on the game and hopefully we will see them again. Overall, I feel I played well. The Americans had a couple of good chances for sure and I tried to keep the game tight. Unfortunately they beat me twice, but it’s part of the game. I just tried to keep it as tight as possible to give our team a chance to win.”

• Larocque on his play

 

“We’re always just looking for feedback to decide how we can be better tomorrow. Obviously as you go deeper in a tournament, you need to be better the next day. Although we’re a young team, we have enough experience in that room to understand that it will go up another level in semifinals. We’ve never experienced that at home and that will bring a certain level of pressure for sure, but I believe that our investment this year, especially on the mental performance side, will allow us to be able to handle that well and bring out a good performance against whoever we play on Saturday night.”

• Head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, Ont.) on expectations for the playoff round

 

“We talked [in the dressing room] after the game that when you have the opportunity to put on this jersey, all you ask from yourself and your teammates is that you give everything you have and I think we demonstrated that tonight. Regardless of the outcome, we’re proud of our team and excited about the strides we took as the game went on. I thought our third period was our best period, competed hard and obviously have great goaltending. We started to make simple plays as the game went on and that started to generate more offensive chances. I think we carry that forward into our semifinal game and hopefully put ourselves in a position to compete for a gold.”

• McGregor on the team’s effort despite the loss

 

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

After edging Czechia on Tuesday, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team looks to carry that momentum into its game against the United States in hopes of remaining perfect through the preliminary round at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship.

Last Game

Canada remained undefeated in the prelims after edging Czechia 2-1 on Tuesday night. Tyler McGregor opened scoring for the second game in a row and Adam Dixon scored the game-winning goal on the power play in the second period. Dominic Larocque made nine saves between the pipes for Canada.

The United States downed Korea 9-0 on Tuesday to stay perfect in the prelims, with Declan Farmer getting it done offensively. Farmer opened the scoring for the Americans with a goal 61 seconds into the game and completed the hat trick later in the game. Travis Dodson, Noah Grove and Christopher Douglas also found their way onto the scoresheet with three points each.

Last Meeting

Canada dropped a heartbreaker back in March, losing 2-1 in the final game a three-game series in Elmira, Ont. Corbyn Smith tied the game in the third period on the power play, but the Americans answered with one second remaining in regulation to sweep Canada. Dominic Larocque kept the Canadians in the game, making 21 saves.

What to Watch

A veteran on Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, Dixon’s two-way play allows him to make an impact on both ends of the ice. With a goal last night, Dixon is now two points away from 250 in his Team Canada career. With three goals and three helpers through two games in Moose Jaw, it’s only a matter of time before the 33-year-old reaches the milestone.

Farmer and Brody Roybal have been a powerful offensive duo for the Americans for the last half of the decade. The pair combined for 30 points at the 2022 Paralympic Games in Beijing and have registered seven points together so far in Moose Jaw. A big part of Canada’s success will come from limiting scoring opportunities by these two offensive dynamos.

A Look Back

Although Canada has the historical edge over the United States, the Americans have been tough competition as of late. Canada has not beaten its southern neighbour in nearly two years, recording a 4-2 win on Oct. 29, 2021, during a two-game series in St. Louis, Mo.

All-time record: Canada leads 59-55-1
Canada goals: 232
United States goals: 229

GAME STATISTICS | LIVE GAME BLOG

MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan – Canada’s National Para Hockey Team made it back-to-back wins at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship, edging Czechia 2-1 on Tuesday night at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

• Tyler McGregor (Forest, Ont.) had a goal and an assist, and was named Player of the Game.
• Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.) scored the game winner on the power play at 12:44 of the second period.
• Dominic Larocque (Quebec City, Que.) turned aside nine of 10 shots faced.
• Canada outshot Czechia 22-10.

Next Game:

Canada vs. United States – Wednesday, May 31 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT)

All games from the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship are available via livestream at HockeyCanada.ca.  

Quotes:

“For our team, regardless of the score, it was good for us to be in a close game and hang on to a lead in the third period. Moving forward, we have to create confidence and build momentum from that. Defending a lead, to be honest, is something that we haven’t done a lot late in games. Tonight was a good test to play the right way structurally, make sure we’re getting pucks in at the blue line, getting pucks down low and then in our defensive zone, defending the middle of the ice and we did a good job of that and got the win.

 

“I think we expect more of the same tomorrow [against USA]. The intensity just elevates even more so. They’re a fast team, we know what to expect as we’ve played them numerous times. They have great offensive firepower up front, they move the puck well, so we have to play positionally sound and really commit ourselves defensively.”

• McGregor on being challenged in the victory and preparing for the U.S.

 

“I think we knew going into the game they have the ability to frustrate you. They clog the middle really well, they have a terrific goaltender and you saw how tough their defence is to generate offence against, and they proved that from the drop of the puck to the end. Like Tyler [McGregor] said, we don’t play in many games in the past few years where you’ve had to scratch and claw to hold onto a lead. As a staff, we felt like we managed the third period really well and that was the best part of our game and we can build on that moving forward.”
-           Head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, Ont.) on finding ways to win

 

“We obviously didn’t have the start or the game we wanted, but we can be proud of our effort and proud of battling through. We watched Czechia’s first game; they move the puck well, they’re fast and they’re a very good hockey team. We can’t be surprised by the effort they put out there tonight.”

• Dixon on Czechia

 

 For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Growing up, Raphaëlle Tousignant was a very athletic kid. Although she faced adversity along her path to where she is today, she has made history as the first woman to play for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team at a major international event.

She got involved with as many sports as she could as a child, but she found her passion at eight years old with ringette.

“It was my sport,” Tousignant says. “I really enjoyed playing it. I was living for it.”

During a ringette game, Tousignant fell on her right hip and a bump began to form, but neither she nor her family thought it would have long-term effects.

“It was very painful,” she explains. “The only time it was not painful was when I was moving, so that made me even more athletic because I didn’t have pain when I was running or playing sports.”

The pain and bump persisted, so Tousignant visited her family doctor. That’s when it became clear that something was not normal. After more testing at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Tousignant was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer found commonly in children.

She began intensive chemotherapy, but when that was unsuccessful at shrinking the tumour, Tousignant was faced with a 12-hour surgery to remove her right leg, hip and part of her pelvis.

A month before her amputation, the then-10-year-old was itching to get back on the ice for what she thought was the last time.

“In my head, I could not do any other sport after my amputation, I wouldn’t be able to go back on the ice,” she explains. “So, I asked if it was possible for me to go back on the ice one last time so I can enjoy it and then move on.”

Surrounded by her teammates and family, Tousignant was able to play ringette one last time before her surgery on Oct. 17, 2012. A year after her amputation, as she adjusted to her new reality, her father began exploring new sports his daughter could participate in, ideally something that could get her back on the ice.

Raphaëlle Tousignant during a World Para Hockey Championship exhibition game in Moose Jaw, Sask.

That’s when she learned about para hockey. Once she was physically ready to try the sport, Tousignant went to the rink with her physiotherapist and her dad to give para hockey a try.

“I just fell in love with it. The feeling to be back on the ice, and it was pretty similar to ringette,” she says. “After that practice, that first time I got off the ice, I told my dad, ‘I’m going to make the women’s national team.’”

The spark of passion for a new on-ice sport helped her to quickly elevate her game. At 14, Tousignant became a member of Canada's national women's para hockey team and travelled to Norway and Czechia to play in international tournaments.

Achieving her first para hockey goal so early into picking up the sport, Tousignant decided to raise the bar and set a higher goal for herself: to represent Canada at the Paralympics. However, since women’s para hockey is not part of the Paralympic program, she would need to play with the men’s team.

“Everyone was like, ‘That’s not achievable, that’s just unrealistic. You’re never going to be able to do that,’” Tousignant explains.

With a new goal in sight, Tousignant got to work. Her game improved, and she made Quebec’s men’s provincial roster when she was 16 years old. Soon afterwards, Hockey Canada came calling to invite Tousignant to Canada’s National Para Hockey Team NextGen development camp.

“All this made me believe that I could actually make it happen,” she says. “I could be a part of the men’s national team.”

Following her first NextGen camp in 2019, Tousignant made history with Christina Picton as the first two women to play for Canada’s National Para Hockey Development Team. Tousignant returned to NextGen camp in April 2022 and received an invite to Canada’s National Para Hockey Team selection camp last September with Alanna Mah.

It was Tousignant’s feistiness, work ethic, communication and vision on the ice that continued to stand out to the coaching staff at each camp.

“She gets 100 per cent of the credit for her growth,” says Team Canada head coach Russ Herrington. “She’s a great example of investing in yourself and what that can do.

“We’ve seen what a great person she is and what a great teammate she is, but what’s really accelerated over the last year is her ability to make an impact when she’s on the ice.”

Christina Picton (left) and Raphaëlle Tousignant.

Although Tousignant was not initially part of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team roster at the beginning of the season, her continued strong performances at camps this spring garnered a lot of attention.

“It wasn’t just the staff that noticed that—there were a lot of veteran players on the team who were also advocating on Raph’s behalf,” Herrington explains. “As a group, we all certainly felt that she had earned her way into representing Canada on the world stage.”

“I was not expecting to be selected to be part of that team who will be going to Moose Jaw. It was just incredible and it’s still unreal,” Tousignant says. “I’m just very happy for the 14-year-old me who truly believed in herself and never gave up on her dream.”

By competing at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship in Moose Jaw, Sask., Tousignant hopes she will inspire further growth in the women’s game.

“Women deserve to be at the Paralympic Games, deserve to have their own team, deserve to compete at that level, too,” she says. “I hope that other little girls [across] Canada or around the world see me and they will say, ‘Hey, I want to be like her,’ because if they want to be like me, that means they’re going to work super hard and grow our game.”

With this new achievement, Tousignant is closer than ever before to achieving her Paralympic dream.

“I know what I have to do to be there, I just need to do it and keep being myself,” she says. “I think it’s possible.”