CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the game schedule for the 2026 Para Cup, set for Nov. 29-Dec. 5 at the Paradise Double Ice Complex in Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The international showcase returns to Paradise for the first time since 2019 and will feature Canada’s National Para Hockey Team joined by China, Czechia and the United States for the 18th edition of the tournament.

“Atlantic Canada has a long and proud history of hosting national sporting events, including welcoming the very best in para hockey to the region, and the 2026 Para Cup will be no exception,” said D’Arcy Hutcheson, director of events with Hockey Canada. “We are grateful for the commitment of the host committee, volunteers and sponsors, and we are excited to ensure another memorable event for fans, athletes and officials.”

Each team will play three preliminary-round games; the tournament begins Nov. 29 with a game between China and the United States at 12 p.m. NT, followed by Canada facing off against Czechia at 5 p.m. NT. Canada will play China on Nov. 30 before closing out the preliminary round against its rivals from the U.S. on Dec. 2. The semifinals will be played Dec. 3 with the medal games set for Dec. 5.

Fans looking to secure their seats can purchase a full, 10-game tournament package for $75, fees included, at HockeyCanada.ca.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will provide coverage of the medal games; check local listings for details. All other games will be available on a pay-per-view basis through HNLive.ca, Hockey Canada’s official livestreaming partner.

Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, Canada has won five gold medals (2007, 2008, April 2011, November 2011, 2013), 11 silver (2009, 2012, January 2016, November 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) and one bronze (2015).

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team and the 2026 Para Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X,  Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Para Hockey Development Team for a three-game series against the United States, April 27-May 1 at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

One goaltender, four defencemen and nine forwards were selected by National Para Hockey Team head coach Boris Rybalka (Camrose, AB), development team head coach Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, AB) and manager of hockey operations Adam Janssen (Richmond Hill, ON). Jesse Albers (Victoria, BC), vice-president of operations, and Dean Seymour (Calgary, AB),national team assistant coach, also provided input.

The roster includes two members of Canada’s silver medal-winning team at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games (Burnett, Lelièvre), two members of Canada’s national women’s para hockey team (Clements, White) and one player making his international debut (Peto).

“We’re excited to see the next generation of talent step forward in this development series,” said Janssen. “These athletes represent the future of Canada’s national para hockey program, and opportunities like this are essential for their growth, confidence and competitive experience. We’re committed to supporting them every step of the way as they continue to develop and pursue excellence on the national and international stage.”

The series between the cross-border rivals will include games on April 28, April 30 and May 1 at Merlis Belsher Place. All three games will begin at 1:45 p.m. CT and will be open to the public, free of charge.

“We’re incredibly encouraged by the direction our program is heading, and by the momentum we continue to build following the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games,” said Rybalka. “The growth we’re seeing—especially with emerging athletes coming through development opportunities like this series—speaks to the strength of our system and the commitment from everyone involved. It’s an exciting time for our program, and we’re confident we’re on the right path as we prepare the next generation to succeed.”

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

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that the 18th edition of the Para Cup will be hosted Nov. 29-Dec. 5 at the Paradise Double Ice Complex in Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Para Cup, the first international competition following the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, returns to Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time since 2019. Atlantic Canada has hosted the world’s best para hockey players a total of nine times, including five events in Prince Edward Island (2008, 2009, December 2016, 2017, 2024), two in Nova Scotia (January 2016, 2022), one in New Brunswick (2023) and once in Newfoundland and Labrador (2019).

“The passion for hockey in this community, combined with its proud tradition of welcoming national events, makes Paradise an outstanding host for our para hockey family,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “This tournament will showcase the very best of para hockey while inspiring fans of all ages, and we can’t wait to celebrate the sport, the athletes and the incredible spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2026.”

Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, Canada has won five gold medals (2007, 2008, April 2011, November 2011, 2013), 11 silver (2009, 2012, January 2016, November 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) and one bronze (2015).

“We are honoured to welcome the Para Cup back to Newfoundland and Labrador and to host it here in Paradise once again,” said Paradise Mayor Patrick Martin. “Paradise is known for its hospitality, volunteers and love of hockey, and we’re proud to welcome the athletes, officials and fans taking part in this tournament. The event builds on our province’s para hockey legacy and highlights how sport brings people together.”

“Newfoundland and Labrador has a deep connection to hockey, and hosting the Para Cup is an opportunity to celebrate the skill, dedication and resilience of these remarkable athletes. Paradise has a proud history of welcoming national and international sport, and through a $30,000 contribution from Celebrate NL to support securing this event, the tournament will bring communities together while inspiring fans of all ages across our province,” said The Honourable Andrea Barbour, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The official tournament schedule and ticket information will be announced at a later date. Fans can stay up to date on tournament information by signing up to become a Hockey Canada Insider .

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Para Hockey Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook , X, Instagram and TikTok .

DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia – Canada’s National Para Hockey Team has earned the silver medal at the 2025 Para Cup after coming up short against the United States 2-0 in the gold medal game Saturday evening.

Corbin Watson (Kingsville, ON) was terrific in the Canadian goal, finishing with 16 saves. Brett Bolton opened the scoring for the Americans 8:05 into the opening period before Brody Roybal found the empty net in the final minute.

“Our forecheck is our bread and butter, and when we were strong on the forecheck we were a relentless team. We forced a lot of turnovers and created scoring opportunities from the forecheck, and we are thrilled with that. Moving forward, consistency and execution in big moments will be a key for us,” said captain Tyler McGregor (Forest, ON). “We will be ready [for the Paralympics], and by the time March rolls around we will be ready to perform in Milan and represent Canada to the best of our ability.”

“We are happy with our tournament as a whole because our team got better every game and we are building a sense of belief,” said forward Adam Dixon (Midland, ON). “We are excited about the opportunities we have to gather as a team over the next few months because it will allow us to work on our systems, and Canadians should be excited to tune [to the Paralympics] because it is going to be a great tournament.”

A full game summary can be found here.

“We have taken some big steps since this team first got together in August, but now the real season starts when we gather again in Calgary in January. The next few months are going to be a lot of fun because our players and staff know how close the Paralympics are, and we have two months to prepare and be ready to represent Canada [in Italy],” said head coach Boris Rybalka (Camrose, AB). “I am proud of these guys and we are happy with our progress on the ice so far this season, but a few months of practice will be great for us as we look ahead to Milan.” 

Canada’s National Para Hockey will host a pair of training camps in Canada ahead of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, with the team gathering in Calgary, Alberta, from Jan. 8-20 and Oakville, Ontario, from Feb. 9-19. Canada will open its Paralympic schedule on March 7 against Slovakia, and will also take on Germany and Czechia in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on March 15.

China defeats Czechia to win second-consecutive bronze medal

Earlier in the day, China captured its second-consecutive bronze medal at the Para Cup, doubling up Czechia 4-2. Dianpeng Qiu, Xiaodong Song, Zhidong Wang and Jintao Tian provided the offence for China, while Wei Wang made seven saves.

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, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the 18 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team at the 2025 Para Cup, set for Nov. 30-Dec. 6 in Dawson Creek, B.C.

Three goaltenders, five defencemen and 10 forwards were selected by head coach Boris Rybalka (Camrose, AB), assistant coach Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, AB), goaltending consultant Dominic Larocque (Québec, QC), and video and skills coach Dean Seymour (Calgary, AB), with input from Adam Janssen (Richmond Hill, ON), manager of hockey operations.

“We are excited to unveil the 18 players who will represent Canada on home ice at the Para Cup in Dawson Creek, as this is a key milestone in our preparation for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games,” Rybalka said. “We know the community will provide an incredible atmosphere and be a great host for our athletes and staff, and we look forward to continuing to build our team culture while competing against three other strong countries.”

All 18 players named to the roster won a silver medal at the 2025 International Para Hockey Cup in October, while 16 won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship in Calgary (Armstrong, Boily, Burnett, Cozzolino, Dixon, Dunn, Halbert, Henry, Hickey, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Kovacevich, Lavin, Lelièvre, McGregor, Watson).

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the medal games on Dec. 6; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and both semifinals will be livestreamed at HNLive.ca.

A variety of ticket options, including full-event ticket packages for $124 (including fees), are available for purchase now at HockeyCanada.ca/ParaCup.

Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will host a training camp at WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, set for Nov. 21-26.

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, Instagram and TikTok.

OSTRAVA, Czechia – Canada’s National Para Hockey Team has won the silver medal for the fourth-consecutive year at the 2025 International Para Hockey Cup, falling 3-0 to the United States in the gold medal game Sunday at Ostravar Arena.

Corbin Watson (Kingsville, ON) was stellar in the Canadian goal, making 24 saves in his 99th career game. Watson was terrific in his three starts in the tournament – two of them against the Americans – finishing with a 1.66 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. 

Auren Halbert (Calgary, AB) was named Player of the Game for Canada. A full game summary can be found here.

“This offseason came with a lot of change, including new coaches and new players, and it was fun to get the new season started and find out which areas we need to work on. We are excited to keep building, and we know we are going to stay united as a team and get better as the season goes on,” said veteran forward Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON). “We are looking forward to playing at home in our next tournament and showcasing our great sport, because we love playing in Canada. We are excited to get to Dawson Creek in November and play in a part of the country that we have not been to for a long time.”

“I am proud of all our guys for today’s game, as well as the whole 10 days we have been [in Czechia]. They represented the country, themselves and our program well, and there were a lot of positives that we can take away from this tournament,” said head coach Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC). “Obviously we would have liked to win a gold medal, but we are going to continue through the process so we can give ourselves the best chance to be successful when we get to Milan [for the 2026 Paralympics].”

Canada secured its spot in the gold medal game by finishing the preliminary round in second place after an overtime loss to the United States (2-1) and wins over Czechia (6-1), China (4-2) and Italy (9-1). 

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team and the United States will meet again in just over one month at the 2025 Para Cup, joined by China and Czechia at the Ovintiv Events Centre in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Nov. 30-Dec. 6. Fans looking to secure their seats can purchase a variety of ticket options at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

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

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the 19 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team at the International Para Hockey (IPH) Cup, Oct. 20-26 in Ostrava, Czechia.

Three goaltenders, six defencemen and 10 forwards were selected by head coach Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC) and Adam Janssen (Richmond Hill, ON) , manager of hockey operations. Assistant coach Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, AB), goaltending coach Dominic Larocque (Québec, QC), and skills and video coach Dean Seymour (Calgary, AB) also provided input.

“This is an exciting time for our program,” said Rybalka. “Our staff and players have been working hard since the world championship in Buffalo last spring to get prepared for the 2025-26 season. We know this is just the beginning of the journey to the 2026 Paralympic Games, and we’re excited to grow, get better and develop as a group while facing four tough opponents in Czechia.”

The roster features 14 players who won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship in Calgary (Armstrong, Boily, Burnett, Cozzolino, Dixon, Dunn, Halbert, Henry, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Kovacevich, Lelièvre, McGregor, Watson) .

The roster also includes forward Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON) , who announced on Aug. 21 that he was ending his retirement and returning to the ice this season with his sights set on a sixth appearance at the Paralympic Winter Games in 2026.

Canada opens its schedule at the IPH Cup against the United States at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT on Oct. 20. It will also face the host Czechs (Oct. 21), China (Oct. 23) and Italy (Oct. 24) in preliminary-round play with the medal games on Oct. 26.

Hockey Canada also announced the support staff that will travel to Ostrava:

•  Performance analysis director James Emery (Calgary, AB)
•  Mental preperation coach Liam Heelis (Georgetown, ON/Acadia, AUS)
•  Equipment managers Grant Boswall (Cornwall, PE) and AJ Murley (St. John’s, NL)
•  Physiotherapist Michael Lenart (Keswick, ON)
•  Team physician Dr. Danielle Kelton (Guelph, ON)
•  Operations vice-president Jesse Albers (Victoria, BC)
•  Hockey operations director Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON)
•  Hockey operations coordinator Jake Grison (Owen Sound, ON)

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

In the annals of Canadian para hockey history, few have left a more indelible mark on the game than Todd Nicholson.

So it is of little surprise that Nicholson will become the first para hockey player to earn induction into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.

For 18 seasons, from 1992 to 2010, the native of Dunrobin, Ontario, was a member of Canada’s National Sledge Team (now known as Canada’s National Para Hockey Team). He wore the ‘C’ as captain for 13 of those seasons, concluding his playing career on home ice at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

His résumé includes a medal of each colour at the Paralympics – winning gold (2006), silver (1998) and bronze (1994) – and appearances on the Paralympic All-Star Team in 1998 and 2002. At Torino 2006, Nicholson proudly carried the Canadian flag into the Opening Ceremony, and then posted a goal and two assists in five games to help Canada to its first Paralympic gold.

He also won four medals in five appearances at the World Para Hockey Championship – two gold (2000, 2008) and two bronze (1996, 2009).

After the national team officially came under the Hockey Canada umbrella ahead of the 2004-05 season, Nicholson tallied 52 points (11 goals, 41 assists) in 83 games, and sits 15th in all-time Team Canada scoring.

While his on-ice career came to an end in Vancouver, Nicholson has remained committed to para sport in retirement.

From 2013 to 2017, he served as chair of the International ParalympicCommittee (IPC) Athletes’ Council, earning him a seat on the IPC Governing Board.

He was also IPC Athlete Representative to the International Olympic Committee, and played a role in the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London (2012), Sochi (2014), Rio de Janeiro (2016) and PyeongChang (2018).

Nicholson was front and centre at the 2018 Paralympics, serving as chef de mission and leading Canada to 28 medals in South Korea, eight of them gold. Following the Games, he was elected chair of the board of Own the Podium, serving in that role until 2023.

Among countless other accolades, Nicholson received the Meritorious Service Cross from the Governor General in 2016 for his contributions to para sport, and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

He was also inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, and into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2017.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the schedules and ticket package details for the 2025 editions of the U17 World Challenge, U18 Women’s National Championship, Para Cup and Junior A World Challenge.

“We are excited to unveil the schedules for our four fall events that will happen across Canada in November and December, and to provide an opportunity for fans to secure their tickets to watch some of the top players compete in incredible communities,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “These are exciting events for participants and fans alike, and we are grateful for the commitment of our host committees, volunteers, community leaders and Members who help us create world-class experiences for everyone involved.”

The U17 World Challenge returns to Nova Scotia for the first time since 2014, with Truro set to host at the 2,500-seat Rath Eastlink Community Centre from Nov. 2-8. Six teams – Canada Red, Canada White, Czechia, Finland, Sweden and the United States – will be split into two groups and will each play two preliminary-round games before the medal round. The event will also feature pre-tournament games in Truro, Amherst and Wolfville on Oct. 31.

For the first time in tournament history, the U18 Women’s National Championship will be held in Newfoundland and Labrador. Eight teams consisting of the top under-18 players in Canada – Alberta, Atlantic, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario Blue, Ontario Red, Quebec and Saskatchewan – will compete for gold at Glacier Arena in Mount Pearl and CBS Arena in Conception Bay South from Nov. 2-8.

The Para Cup is set to return to British Columbia for the first time since the inaugural event in 2007, with Dawson Creek hosting at the 4,500-seat Ovintiv Event Centre from Nov. 30-Dec. 6. Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will take on China, Czechia and the United States as it looks to secure its first gold medal at the event since 2013.

The Junior A World Challenge will head to Quebec for the first time when Trois-Rivières plays host at the 4,390-seat Colisée Vidéotron, set for Dec. 7-13. The four-team tournament will feature Canada East, Canada West, Sweden and the United States, with each team playing three preliminary-round games before the tournament wraps up with the bronze and gold medal games on Dec. 13. The event will also feature pre-tournament games, with matchups and locations to be announced in the coming weeks.

Full-event ticket packages for the U17 World Challenge, U18 Women’s National Championship, Para Cup and Junior A World Challenge are on sale now and can be purchased at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Hockey Canada and the local organizing committees of the 2025 Para Cup and 2025 Junior A World Challenge are currently looking to fill volunteer positions for both events. Individuals that are interested in creating a world-class experience for players and fans alike are encouraged to CLICK HERE to learn more about Hockey Canada’s volunteer program or visit the individual event pages to apply now.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will air select tournament games, with broadcast details to be announced at a later date. Tournament games not being broadcast by TSN and RDS will be available via livestream.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.