Canada look towards win with 17-player roster

Canada’s National Sledge Team has confirmed the 17-player roster that will represent the hosts at the 2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge, from 17-23 at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater.

Canada faces off against South Korea, Russia and the USA.

The roster includes two goaltenders, five defencemen and 10 forwards. All but two of the 17 players were part of the squad that captured silver at the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship in Buffalo, New York, USA (Steve Arsenault, Kieran Block, Brad Bowden, Billy Bridges, Ben Delaney, Adam Dixon, Marc Dorion, James Gemmell, Dominic Larocque, Tyler McGregor, Bryan Sholomicki, Kevin Sorley, Corbin Watson, Greg Westlake, Derek Whitson), while defenseman Rob Armstrong and forward Dominic Cozzolino made their debuts earlier this season, winning gold with Canada at the International Ice Sledge Hockey Tournament in Turin, Italy.

Canada opens the 2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge against Russia at 5pm (AT) on Sunday, 17 January. The Canadians also play South Korea at 7pm (AT) on Monday, 18 January, and the USA at 7pm (AT) on Wednesday, 20 January in preliminary-round action.

Ticket packages are available for CAD 50, providing admission to the six preliminary-round games, as well as both semifinals, and the bronze and the gold-medal games. More information is available at Hockey Canada’s website.

“The December event in Italy was a very good way for our team to prepare for our biggest challenge so far this season. We will be facing good teams who play with plenty of speed and skill,” said Ken Babey, head coach of Canada’s National Sledge Team. "We are looking forward to playing these teams in Bridgewater and creating more awareness about the sport of sledge hockey.”

In the tournament’s eight-year history, Canada has won five gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze. Canada beat Korea 4-1 in the bronze-medal game at the 2015 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Leduc, Alta.

Semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, 21 January at 2 pm and 7pm (AT). Both the bronze and gold medal games will be played on Saturday, 23 January at 1 pm and 5 pm (AT).

All preliminary-round games, as well as the semifinals and bronze-medal game, will be webcast through FASTHockey on the game summary pages of Hockey Canada’s website.

The gold-medal game of the 2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge will be aired on TSN and RDS, official broadcasters of Hockey Canada. Please check local listings for details.