CALGARY, Alta. – Following a two-game series against the United States that wrapped up on Oct. 30, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team has unveiled its full schedule for the 2021-22 season in preparation for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, China.
As part of the seven-month journey to Beijing, 19 players will travel to Bridgewater, N.S., to face off against Korea in a four-game series at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, Nov. 13-19.
In addition to the series against Korea, the Paralympic preparation schedule includes the International Para Hockey Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The four-team exhibition tournament, which features the Czech Republic, RPC and the United States, includes six games at RT Torax Arena, Dec. 12-19. The schedule also features a two-game series against the United States at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira, Ont., Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 2022, which will serve as the final international competition before the Paralympics.
“We are excited to unveil our season schedule, and to have the opportunity to play the top international teams throughout the year on our journey to the Paralympics,” said head coach Ken Babey (Calgary, Alta.). “As important as our training camps are for our team, the value of competing against the top teams in the world throughout the year will greatly benefit our athletes as we progress towards competing for a gold medal in March.”
Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will kick off the new year with a training camp from Jan. 9-14 (location to be determined), as well as a pre-Paralympics training camp from Feb. 15-25 at WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary before the Paralympic Winter Games get underway on March 5.
Canada will look to capture its sixth Paralympic medal, and first gold since 2006, in Beijing. Overall, it has collected one gold medal (2006), as well as two silver (1998, 2018) and two bronze (1994, 2014).
Canada’s final roster for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is tentatively scheduled to be unveiled in early February.
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, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #OurGameIsBack.