Hockey Canada and Women’s Para Hockey of Canada combine forces for Series against USA

CALGARY – Hockey Canada’s Para hockey team and the Women’s Para Hockey of Canada national team will both play a series of matches against the USA March 26-29 in Thorold, Ont., a municipality near Niagara Falls.

The series is an important preparation event for upcoming world championships for both squads.

Hockey Canada’s Para hockey team is tuning up to defend its title at the Para hockey world championships set for May 25-31 in Buffalo. The competition is a qualifying event for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The top-five countries in Buffalo earn an automatic spot for Milano Cortina.

The team is comprised of three goaltenders, seven defence and 11 forwards – including 16 members of the team that won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship in Calgary

After defeating its arch rival USA 2-1 to win the world crown last May, its first world championship gold since 2017, the two countries have waged more epic battles this season.

At the International Para ice hockey Cup in October, the U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in the prelims and 5-3 in the final. At the Para hockey Cup in Charlottetown in November the Americans posted 5-3 and 4-1 victories, the latter in the final.

For Canada’s head coach Russ Herrington it’s important for his troops to keep focused on the ultimate season prize.

“As we continue to prepare for the upcoming world championships, we want to push ourselves and continue to get better every day,’’ said Herrington, whose assistant coaches include Paralympians Greg Westlake and Steve Arsenault.

‘’I expect more of the same this week.’’

The Hockey Canada team games (all times ET) are March 26 at 12 p.m., March 28 at 7 p.m. and March 29 at 7 p.m.

IPC photo

Meanwhile the Women’s Para Hockey of Canada national team is preparing for the first ever women’s Para Ice Hockey world championships set for August 26-31 in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia.

World Para Ice Hockey announced the event just last week.

“We are thrilled to hit the ice and compete,” said Tara Chisholm, head coach of Canada’s national women’s para hockey team. “This series in Thorold will be a fantastic way to kick off our competitive season on the road to worlds.

‘’Events like this help raise the profile of women’s Para hockey and provide athletes with valuable high-level competition. As the sport continues to grow, we are excited to strengthen our collaboration with Hockey Canada and USA Hockey to create more opportunities for women to showcase their skills.”

This marks the second time the two programs will combine efforts at an event.

The women’s games are March 26 at 6:30 p.m. (ET), Friday, March 28 at 12 p.m. and Saturday, March 29 at 12 p.m.

Canada’s roster for the women’s series includes three goaltenders, five defence and nine forwards – representing athletes from six provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec).

Herrington lauded the dual series.

‘’We are also excited to have Women’s Para Hockey of Canada join us as well as the United States’ Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team,’’ he said ‘’This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate and continue to showcase the sport.”

Canada-USA is about as hot as it gets in the sport right now.

“Any time you can put on the Maple Leaf and compete with the United States, you know there will be a high level of competition,” said Herrington.
All six games will be broadcast live for free HERE.

With files from Hockey Canada