MILAN, Italy – Canada’s Paralympic Hockey Team skated to a silver medal following a 6-2 loss to the United States the gold medal game of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Liam Hickey (St. John’s, NL) scored twice, tying the game in the second period and pulling the Canadians within two in the third, while Corbin Watson (Kingsville, ON) made 20 saves. A full game summary can be found here. “I’m very proud of the group,” said head coach Boris Rybalka (Camrose, AB). “We had one goal and that was to come here and win a gold medal, and we came up short. You look at where this program was and where we are now, I know we will be back on top of the mountain soon. This group showed so much heart and left it all out on the ice.” Hickey’s two goals left him tied with captain Tyler McGregor (Forest, ON) for the team lead with six, one back of the tournament lead. McGregor finished as Canada’s top scorer with 14 points (6-8—14), tied for second in the tournament. He also equaled the single-tournament Canadian record for assists, with eight (previously set by Adam Dixon in 2018). McGregor, Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, ON) and Anton Jacobs-Webb (Gatineau, QC) chipped in with assists in the gold medal game. “Even though it didn’t go our way tonight, I love everyone in that room, and everyone that has been a part of this journey with this team,” said McGregor. “We showed a lot of resilience tonight. We got down early, but we pushed back. The start of the third period we showed a lot of heart, passion and Canadian grit. It just didn’t go our way. I’m so proud of this group.” The announced attendance of 11,500 set a new Paralympic record, shattering the previous mark of 8,992 set March 7 when the host Italians opened the tournament against the U.S. “Pride is the only word that I have right now,” added Rybalka. “You look around our dressing room, and you know everyone in there wanted to win this so badly for each other, but also for the country. When we scored, it was like a home game in Canada. Thank you to every hockey fan from coast to coast who came along with us on this journey, supported us, wished us well, sent videos and texts… it’s incredible. I’m so proud to be Canadian and so is every guy in that room.” Canada’s lone para hockey gold medal came in 2006. It has also won four silver medals (1998, 2018, 2022, 2026)and two bronze medals (1994, 2014).
The silver medal adds to the medal haul for the Canadian contingent at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Team Canada finished with 15 medals (three gold, four silver and eight bronze).
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