Billy
Bridges

Canada’s most successful Para ice hockey player has entered the world of Para athletics in 2023. Billy Bridges will compete in throwing events at the Parapan American Games in Santiago.

Beijing 2022 was the sixth Paralympic Winter Games for the high scoring Bridges. He won his fourth career Paralympic Winter Games medal and second straight silver for Canada in Para ice hockey.  

He also helped Canada to silver medals at the 2019 and 2021 world championships. He was sixth in tournament scoring at the 2019 worlds with 10 points.

At the 2018 Games, he was seventh in tournament scoring with 10 points in five games.

He was also a points machine at the 2017 IPC World Championships. He was fifth in tournament scoring earning 16 points (six goals and 10 assists) including three assists in the 4-1 gold medal final victory over the U.S.

It seems every big Canadian game this century, Bridges’ name is spread across the scoresheet.

He scored two goals in the third-place game against Norway at the Sochi Paralympics in 2014 to help Canada to a 3-0 victory and the bronze medal. Sochi was a fourth Paralympic Games for Bridges, regarded among the best Para ice hockey players of all time.

He was on Canada’s fourth-place teams in 2002 and 2010 and took gold in 2006. At the 2006 Paralympic Games, he was named to the tournament all-star team. He is also an eight-time world team member, including Canada’s 2000, 2008 and 2013 gold medal squads. 

In 2010, he became the first national team player to record 200 points and 100 career goals and in 2011 he collected his 100th assist.

He was born with Spina Bifida which limits his mobility. He uses crutches and sometimes a wheelchair. The 22-year national team veteran has a one-arm slapshot that’s been clocked at 80 miles per hour.

Bridges played wheelchair basketball professionally in Spain. As a member of Team Ontario, he won seven consecutive national championships and a gold medal at the Canada Games. He also helped Canada to gold at the 2001 World Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships.
 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

World champion in 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017… Six-time Paralympian (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)….Paralympic champion in 2006, silver medallist in 2018, and bronze medallist in 2014 …First player to record 200 points, 100 goals, 100 assists.

PERSONAL

He is married to former women’s national team member Sami Jo Small… Began playing sledge hockey with the Kitchener Sidewinders in 1997 at the age of 12… He made his national team debut in 1998 aged 14, at the time making him Team Canada’s youngest ever player… Studied English literature at the University of Toronto… In 2011 and 2012 he was named Mississauga Disabled Athlete of the Year… He is a spokesperson for Right to Play, an organization that promotes a healthier and safer world for children through sport…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS (Para ice hockey)

2022 Paralympic Winter Games 2nd
2021 IPC World Championships 2nd
2019 IPC World Championships 2nd
2018 Paralympic Winter Games 2nd
2017 IPC World Championships 1st
2015 IPC World Championships 2nd
2014 Paralympic Winter Games 3rd
2013 IPC World Championships 1st
2012 IPC World Championships 3rd
2010 Paralympic Winter Games 4th
2009 IPC World Championships 3rd
2008 IPC World Championships 1st
2006 Paralympic Games 1st
2002 Paralympic Games 4th