Para sport notebook: Adam Dixon ties Canadian record for games played in Para ice hockey

MIDLAND, Ont. – Four-time Paralympian Adam Dixon hopes to slide into history at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships.

Last month, the 35-year-old from Midland, Ont. played in his 251st national team game which equalled the mark set by the now retired Billy Bridges. In that game, Canada scored an important 2-1 victory over the U.S. to conclude a three-game series in Thorold, Ont.

Canada’s next tournament is the world championships set for May 25-31 in Buffalo, N.Y.

‘’I think it’s pretty cool,” said Dixon, who became a father for the first time earlier this month with the birth of his daughter. “Billy was in the stands at the time, so it was neat to have him at the game.”

Dixon is quick to point out however that his former teammate has technically played more national team games. The record is a Hockey Canada mark, and therefore counts only the games since the sport has been under its umbrella (2004).

However one can argue that Dixon’s total would also be higher if he hadn’t taken a three-year break from the squad after the 2018 Games to pursue other ventures including building a house and volunteering with Campfire Circle, a summer camp for kids with cancer or those who have been affected by cancer. He returned to the national team in 2021.

At age 10, Dixon was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma. The rare cancer led to the removal of his right tibia, which was replaced with a donor bone, a metal plate and multiple screws.

‘’I just show up every day,” said Dixon, the most valuable defenceman at the 2018 Games but now plays forward. “Probably that is the real key. I’ve had plenty of injuries over my career, but just being able to be somewhat healthy and play in every game and be available.”

2025 Défi sportif Altergo gets underway on Friday

The 42nd edition of the Défi sportif AlterGo gets underway this Friday in Montreal.

Highlights for the multi-sport competition for people with a disability includes the grand return of the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship to the Défi for the first time since 2019.

Wheelchair curling runs from April 28 to May 3 at Boucherville’s Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot.

Also on ice at the Défi, Canada and USA will face off in blind hockey competition at the Howie-Morenz Arena from April 25-27 while junior Para ice hockey teams from Ontario and Quebec meet in a tournament at the same venue May 2-4.

Over at Longueuil’s Centre sportif Édouard-Montpetit from May 2-4, powerchair soccer and wheelchair basketball tournaments are also scheduled.

The entire event is expected to attract some 6,000 athletes. Jonathan Vermette, who recently retired from the national team, will compete in the wheelchair basketball tournament.

For more information visit HERE.

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Chelsey Gotell named to IPC Membership Engagement Committee

Three-time Paralympian Chelsey Gotell of Antigonish, N.S. was named to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Membership Engagement Committee.

The IPC Membership Engagement Committee, chaired by James Chiutsi of Malawi, is responsible for advising the IPC Governing Board on ideas and proposals for optimizing services to members, identifying opportunities and challenges affecting members, and improving two-way communication channels with members.

The committee may also advise on such other matters within its area of responsibility as the IPC Governing Board may request.

After earning 12 medals as a Paralympic swimmer at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Games, Gotell has continued to be a strong voice for the Paralympic Movement. She’s been on the CPC Board of Directors, was chair of the IPC Athletes’ Council from 2017-2021, and was elected to the IPC Governing Board.