About Canadian Blind Hockey
Canadian Blind Hockey is a charity that changes the lives of children and youth who are blind or partially sighted by providing Blind Hockey programming — including introductory Try It sessions, development camps, regional and national competitions — and by supporting the Canadian Blind Hockey Teams.
Our vision
World leaders in Blind Hockey.
Our mission
Canadian Blind Hockey works to ensure that every Canadian who is blind or partially sighted has the opportunity to participate in the parasport of Blind Hockey — from the pond to the podium.
What is Blind Hockey?
The parasport of Blind Hockey is a variation of ice hockey for athletes who are blind or partially sighted. The game is played with an adapted puck that makes noise and is larger than a traditional puck.
- At the recreational level, the sport is open to all athletes who are visually impaired.
- At the competitive level, all players are classified as legally blind — approximately ten percent vision or less.
- Athletes with more vision typically play forward, while athletes with less vision play defence; all goaltenders have extremely low vision or are completely blind, and wear a blindfold.
Our values
We endorse hockey's Declaration of Principles, supported by Hockey Canada, the IIHF, the NHL, and other major hockey organizations: hockey should be a positive family experience, develop character and life skills, and provide a safe and inclusive environment for all participants — regardless of race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
Our people
Staff
- Matt Morrow — Executive Director. 15 years of sport management experience; developing the parasport of Blind Hockey professionally since 2007 and full-time with Canadian Blind Hockey since 2012. Key contact for fundraising. mattmorrow@blindicehockey.com
- Luca DeMontis — Program Director. A dedicated member of the Blind Hockey community since 2011 and full-time since 2018; General Manager of the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team since its inaugural 2018 season. lucademontis@blindicehockey.com
- Mel Carrey — Marketing Communications Manager & Executive Assistant. A supporter of Canadian Blind Hockey since its inception. melcarrey@blindicehockey.com
Volunteer Board of Directors
- Greg Manion — President. Business owner and long-time program coach and fundraiser.
- Matt Shaw — Vice-President. Entrepreneur and recognized accessibility innovator, born with a degenerative deafblind condition.
- Laura Mark — Secretary. CNIB team operations lead, Toronto Ice Owls member, and Girls and Women's Coordinator.
- Frank Fornasier — Treasurer.
- Bruno Haché — Member at Large. Canadian National Blind Hockey Team member since 2018 and retired national Paralympic goalball athlete.