10 Canadians to watch at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

OTTAWA – As the snowflakes settle from the Olympic Winter Games, Italy is preparing to welcome a new wave of athletic excellence at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

The competition gets underway March 6 with the Opening Ceremony and concludes March 15 with the Para ice hockey final in Milano and Closing Ceremony in Cortina.

Canada will field a 50-member team in six sports. The squad features established stars, exciting newcomers, comeback stories, and athletes ready to peak at the right time and bring home some hardware for their nation.

At the past four Paralympic Winter Games, Canada has ranked third in the medal standings with 25 medals at Beijing 2022, 28 at PyeongChang 2018, 16 at Sochi 2014, and 19 at Vancouver 2010.  

Here’s a closer look at one-fifth of the Canadian Paralympic Team for the 2026 Games.

Alexis Guimond, Gatineau, Que. – Para alpine skiing, men’s standing category

Paralympic experience: Represented Canada at the 2018 and 2022 Games. He’s won one bronze at each Games.

This season: On the 2025-26 season World Cup circuit, he earned his first career Crystal Globe as an overall champion placing first in the men’s standing super-G.He is also a co-captain of the Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic team.

Mollie Jepsen, West Vancouver – Para alpine skiing, women’s standing category

Paralympic experience: A six-time medallist across two Games (2018 and 2022).

This season: After missing most of the past three seasons due to injuries, Jepsen notched her third career Crystal Globe as the overall champion in the women’s standing super-G, her first since the 2021-22 season.

Tyler Turner, Campbell River, B.C. – Para snowboard, men’s lower limb 1 (SB-LL1) category

Paralympic experience: Won gold in the men’s snowboard cross at the 2022 Games, Canada’s first-ever Paralympic title in the sport.

This season: A co-captain of the Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team, Turner hasn’t slowed down since Beijing 2022. He has dominated his sport, winning three straight Crystal Globes leading into 2025-26 and back-to-back world championship titles in snowboard cross.

Natalie Wilkie, Salmon Arm, B.C. – Para nordic skiing, women’s standing category

Paralympic experience: Debuted at PyeongChang 2018 at age 17 with three medals and added four more at Beijing 2022.

This season: In the 2025-26 season, Wilkie collected six victories on the Para biathlon World Cup circuit and earned the Crystal Globe as the overall champion in the women’s standing category for the first time in her career. 

Mark Arendz, Hartsville, PEI – Para nordic skiing, men’s standing category

Paralympic experience: A four Games veteran, dating back to his first appearance in 2010. He’s earned 12 medals overall including a Canadian team record six at a single Games at PyeongChang 2018.

This season: Arendz kicked off the 2025-26 season, his 20^th on the national team, with four straight wins on the Para biathlon World Cup circuit on route to the Crystal Globe as the men’s standing overall champion. It was his third Crystal Globe in a row, fourth in five years, and fifth in his career.

Ina Forrest, Spallumcheen, B.C. – wheelchair curling

Paralympic experience: Milano Cortina will be her fifth Paralympic Winter Games. She was a member of Canada’s gold medal winning team in 2010 and 2014 then added a bronze in 2018 in PyeongChang and 2022 in Beijing.

This season: She was named co-captain of the Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team as Canada’s wheelchair curling team competed in tournaments across Canada and Europe to prepare for the Games.

Jon Thurston, Dunsford, Ont. – wheelchair curling

Paralympic experience: He was last rock shooter for Canada in 2022 leading the squad to the bronze medal.

This season: Known for precise takeouts and draw weight, Thurston remains Canada’s most dependable shooter.

Tyler McGregor, Forest, Ont. – Para ice hockey

Paralympic experience: One of Canada’s top scoring forwards and team leaders, helped Canada to a bronze and two silver at the last three Games.

This season: McGregor was named one of the Canadian Paralympic Team’s co-captains for the Games. He was also one of the stars during the Olympic Games on Canadian television – his journey was featured in Air Canada’s commercial which aired throughout the Games and will continue through the Paralympics.

Greg Westlake, Oakville, Ont. – Para ice hockey

Paralympic experience: The sole remaining Team Canada member from the 2006 gold medal winning squad, Milano Cortina will be his sixth Games.

This season: After three seasons as an assistant coach on the national team, Westlake, Canada’s second all-time leading scorer, returned to the line-up for 2025-26 and remains a scoring presence and locker room leader.

Tyrone Henry, Ottawa – Para ice hockey

Paralympic experience: Silver medallist at the 2018 and 2022 Games

This season: The decorated Minister of defense continues to provide a steady on-ice presence and can contribute points for a team determined to win Canada’s hockey gold in 2026.