Boris Rybalka named new head coach of Canada’s Para ice hockey team

CALGARY – Boris Rybalka has been named the new head coach of Canada’s national Para ice hockey team while Greg Westlake returns to the ice after a two-year retirement to seek a sixth Paralympic Games participation at Milano Cortina 2026.

Rybalka replaces Russ Herrington, at the helm of the team since September 2022. Herrington led Canada to its first world title in seven years in 2024 as well as silver medals in 2023 and 2025.

Rybalka spent the past two seasons as Herrington’s assistant after a highly successful head coaching career. With the Camrose Kodiaks, he won five Alberta Junior Hockey League titles, the 2001 Royal Bank Cup, and was named Coach of the Year in 2003-04. He is the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s all-time leader in wins with 683.

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Rybalka is joined on the staff by assistant coach and two-time Paralympian Steve Arsenault of Spruce Grove, Alta., goaltending coach and three-time Paralympian Dominic Larocque of Quebec City, and video and skills coach Dean Seymour of Calgary.

“We are proud to have Boris, Steve, Dominic and Dean lead our team on the journey to Italy,” said Adam Janssen, manager of hockey operations, Hockey Canada. “Their experience, leadership and deep commitment to Para athlete development align perfectly with our program’s pursuit of excellence.”

Meanwhile, Westlake, an assistant coach the last two years with Canada’s national team, is making his return as an athlete for a 20^th season.   The 39-year-old from Oakville, Ont. brings a powerful offensive presence to the ice. He is Canada’s second leading scorer all-time with 175 goals and 194 assists for 369 points in 240 games. At the Paralympic Games he helped Canada to gold in 2006, fourth in 2010, bronze in 2014, and silver in 2018 and 2022.