Wheelchair rugby legend Garett Hickling passes away at age 54

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of wheelchair rugby legend Garett Hickling.  

Hickling was a trailblazer in the sport, an influential leader on and off the court, and one of the best to ever play the game. He competed for Canada at five Paralympic Games, capturing four medals – silver in 1996 (when wheelchair rugby was a demonstration sport), 2004, and 2012, as well as a bronze in 2008.   

He was also Canada’s Opening Ceremony flag bearer for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.  

One of the first wheelchair rugby recruits by the sport’s founder Duncan Campbell, he earned tournament MVP honours at the first three world championships, where Canada won silver in 1995, bronze in 1998, and gold in 2002. He holds five total worlds medals, including another silver and bronze.   

“Garett is a wheelchair rugby legend, a true warrior out there,” said former Canadian head coach Patrick Côté to Wheelchair Rugby Canada on the occasion of Hickling’s induction to the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017. “Being so dominant in a sport for so many years demonstrates how tough he was. Simply put, he was one of the greatest players of all time.”  

Off the field of play, Hickling, originally from Kelowna, B.C., was quiet and unassuming. But on the court he was a swashbuckling player who terrorized the opposition with his delight in hard hits and ball battles. 

Throughout his career, Hickling played a significant role in growing the sport across Canada and internationally.  

After his playing days, Hickling continued to advance the game, coaching at the local and provincial level in Toronto, and developing potential athletes for the Canadian national team. Recently, he was also an assistant coach for Canada at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.   

Hickling has received numerous awards to recognize his storied career and valued contributions to Paralympic sport, including being inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2019 and BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.  

The Canadian Paralympic Committee extends its deepest sympathies to Hickling’s family, friends, and the entire wheelchair rugby community.  

“I try to give 110% no matter what I do, whether it’s writing a paper or trying to hit a guy … you know? It’s give it all you got, whenever you can.” – Garett Hickling to CNN in 2012