Canadian Blind Hockey has announced the first half of the nation’s Blind Hockey team
TORONTO, ON – Canadian Blind Hockey has named the first phase of players to the 2024 Canadian National Blind Hockey Team. The team is gearing up for the 2024 International Blind Ice Hockey Series in St. Louis April 12 – 14 as Team Canada looks to defend their title against Team USA.
The National Blind Hockey Team Program is celebrating its five-year anniversary and has already set a high standard for excellence on and off the ice. Team Canada has celebrated four gold medals in their history and has completely changed the competitive side of Blind Hockey. They continue to build momentum and strive to continue going for gold, while encouraging other international countries to participate in the growing Para sport of Blind Hockey.
“From the first time Team Canada stepped on the ice at the 2018 International Blind Hockey Series, the team has achieved a golden standard,” explains GM Luca DeMontis. “We’re excited to work with this great group of players who are role models in the sport of Blind Hockey. Many of them are returning but we’re also getting ready to welcome some new players which will be very exciting as we work to take this program to the next level.”
The first phase of players named to the 2024 Canadian National Blind Hockey Team are no strangers to wearing the maple leaf on their chest. Included in this list is a rookie who will be making their National Team debut coming off an MVP performance at the 2023 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament. The first phase of players named include:
Kelly Serbu (Halifax, NS)
Jason Yuha (Rosalind, AB)
Simon Richard (Moncton, NB)
Thomas Raymond (Montreal, Que)
Chaz Misuraca (Stratford, On)
Tristan Lindberg (Edmonton, AB)
Liam O’Callaghan (Edmonton, AB)
Mark DeMontis (Weston, On)
Bruno Haché (Montreal, Que)
Sean Heaslip (Vancouver, BC)
Canadian Blind Hockey is thrilled to welcome our returning coaches and management staff: General Manager Luca DeMontis (Toronto, ON), Coaches Paul Kerins (Weston, ON), Jeff Street (Toronto, ON), Joe McCallion (Toronto, ON), Joey Ali (Surrey, BC), and Team Therapist Mark Bentz (Vancouver, BC)
The talent is growing across Canada and following a successful High Performance Development camp in Mississauga in August 2023, coaches decided to take a two-step approach to naming the team for 2024 season.
Canadian Blind Hockey will be hosting a Select Division at the 2024 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament March 22 – 24 in Toronto. This division will feature the best Blind Hockey players at the Tournament fighting for one of the remaining spots to represent Canada in St. Louis against Team USA.
The full team roster will be announced Sunday March 24 at the 2024 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament.
For more information, please contact Canadian National Blind Hockey Team General Manager Luca DeMontis lucademontis@blindicehockey.com
