The puck stops here! Canada’s secret weapon in Para ice hockey

(Photos Hockey Canada)

CALGARY – When talk emerges about Canada’s Para ice hockey team, the common names mentioned are scoring forwards Tyler McGregor, Dominic Cozzolino and Liam Hickey, the legendary Greg Westlake, and even defenseman Tyrone Henry who gets his fair share in the spotlight for his defensive genius.

But the true backbone of the team is the goaltending tandem comprised of Corbin Watson, Adam Kingsmill, and Jean-François Huneault.

‘’Having three great goalies is a blessing and a bonus for Team Canada,’’ said head coach Boris Rybalka. ‘’They have a common denominator and that it is all about the team.’’

With this power trio, Canada can boast the deepest and most collaborative goaltending in the international game. But like the referees, if you don’t talk about the goaltending it means they’re doing a great job.

In addition, everybody knows in hockey circles that goalies are usually a quirky bunch. The one rule is when it’s going well, don’t bother them.

Alas, Canada’s Para goaltending fraternity was thrown to the proverbial wolves a few months ago at Hockey Canada’s media day and open for intrusion, dissection and analysis. Luckily the damage seems to have been limited as Canada’s goalies continued to shine at recent tournaments.

At the Para Hockey Cup in Dawson Creek, B.C. earlier this month, which featured the top four countries in the world, Canada allowed a grand total of six goals in five games in a silver medal performance.

All three goaltenders played in the tournament. That included Kingsmill and Watson each playing the reigning Paralympic and world champions Americans once while Huneault backstopped Canada to a 3-1 victory over world championship bronze medallist Czechia in the prelims.

All three players initially played the standup game. At 38, Watson is the most experienced player. He competed at the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Games earning bronze and silver. However he stepped away from the game for a couple of seasons and missed Beijing 2022 before making a comeback.

Born in Kingsville, Ont., Watson nearly reached the Junior B level before losing his leg in a car accident in 2006. After being encouraged to try Para ice hockey by a former national team player, he rediscovered the game from the crease.

“The biggest adjustment is movement,” said Watson whose goaltending heroes are Martin Brodeur and Miikka Kiprusoff. “You go from using your legs to having to master your sled. Once you figure that out, everything else starts to click.’’

Rybalka points out that Watson’s vast experience benefits the whole team.

‘’He’s composed,’’ said Rybalka. ‘’Nothing fazes him. He’s another great leader and it’s all about the team for him.’’

Kingsmill, a native of Smithers, B.C., first put on skates at age two, just months after a leg amputation. Goaltending ran in his family, and the transition to Para ice hockey was initially smooth.

‘’Moving while keeping your hands high is a big challenge today,’’ said Kingsmill, who cites Roberto Luongo as a huge influence. ‘’There are phenomenal players around the world right now and they are only getting better at shooting the puck and being deceptive. That’s one aspect that I brought into my game over the past two seasons.’’

‘’Adam takes notes, he does videos, asks questions, he’s a student of the game,’’ added Rybalka. ‘’He watches other goalies, makes clips and breaks everything down. He does his homework.’’

Huneault’s path came later. The Saint-Eustache, Que. native stopped playing hockey at 14 due to a rare neurological condition. At 24, a video of a former national team goaltender reignited his childhood dream.

“I saw professional athletes at the Paralympics, winning medals, representing Canada,” said Huneault, also a Brodeur admirer. “That’s when I knew I had to try.”

Despite fewer years in the sport, Huneault progressed quickly, earning a spot on the national team in 2023. 

‘’J.F. has an unbelievable attitude with a phenomenal heart and desire,’’ said Rybalka. ‘’His work ethic is second to none. He is so focused on not only making himself better but making the team better.’’

Watson and Kingsmill have crossed paths throughout their careers, with Watson even providing Kingsmill’s first sled. Rather than a rivalry, their relationship is built on openness.

“We both want to be the starter,” Watson said. “But we push each other. If one of us is struggling, the other is there.”

And like the three musketeers, Canada’s Para ice hockey goalies are all for one goal. To bring home gold at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.