International Blind Ice Hockey Series Heads to Montreal for the First Time Ever!

The Canadian National Blind Hockey Team aims to defend their title versus Team USA at the 2025 International Blind Ice Hockey Series from April 25 – 27 as part of the 42^nd edition of Defi Sportif in Montreal, Quebec.

Canadian Blind Hockey is thrilled to announce that the 2025 Canadian National Blind Hockey Team will be looking to earn its sixth consecutive championship and defend their title against Team USA in Montreal from April 25 – 27, 2025 in partnership with Défi Sportif AlterGo.

This year’s National Team features 20 players representing seven different provinces spanning the country from BC to Newfoundland.

“We’re thrilled with the level of talent on the 2025 National Team and so proud of all the hard work these players put in to training to represent our country; it wasn’t an easy decision as the caliber of skill keeps levelling up,” explains GM of the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team, Luca DeMontis. “We want to thank Défi Sportif for welcoming our organization to host our tournament during their 42^nd celebration and we can’t wait to put on a great tournament for all the spectators in Montreal!”

This is the first time since 2011 that Blind Hockey will be featured during Défi-Sportif.

“During the sports first appearance at Defi Sportif in 2010 leaders from across the then very small Blind Hockey community held the founding meeting for what would eventually become Canadian Blind Hockey,” explains Matt Morrow, Executive Director at Canadian Blind Hockey. “It’s incredible to be here 15 years later to celebrate the growth of the Para sport across Canada and around the world, and to be able to host the 6^th International Blind Ice Hockey Series. Thank you to all our partners who have helped us get here, especially the CNIB Foundation for supporting Blind Hockey across Canada.”

The Para sport of Blind Hockey is played by athletes who are blind or partially sighted using an adapted puck that is larger than a traditional puck and makes noise. At the international level players must be classified under the same system used in the Paralympics and have 10% vision or less. The Para sport is played in 13 cities across Canada as well as the USA, England, Finland, Sweden and Russia. Currently only Canada and the USA have national teams however Canadian Blind Hockey is working with international partners to grow the game with the hopes of establishing a World Championship and creating a pathway to the Paralympics.

“The talent on this National Team is unmatched across the board and I’m proud of everyone for showing up and training hard this season,” said head Coach Paul Kerins. “This 2025 team is going to take this Para sport to the next level and I’m excited to coach the players in Montreal.”

Location: Howie Morentz Arena, 8650 Av. Querbes, Montréal, QC H3N 2X4

Schedule:

• Game 1 – Friday April 25 – 4:00pm – 6:30pm
• Game 2 – Saturday April 26 – 3:00pm – 5:00pm
• Game 3 – Sunday April 27 – 10:00am – 12:00pm + Special game from 12:30pm – 2pm from the local Blind Hockey team les Hiboux de Montréal

All games are free for the public to attend and will be broadcast live on Canadian Blind Hockey’s YouTube.

The 2025 Canadian National Blind Hockey Team roster includes:

ABOUT:

Canadian Blind Hockey:

Canadian Blind Hockey is a charity that runs life changing Blind Hockey programming coast-to-coast for children, youth and adults who are blind or partially sighted. Our programs and events are made possible thanks to our generous donors and sponsors the CNIB Foundation, AMI, The Daniel Family Foundation, Electra Health, and Manion.

CNIB Foundation:

Celebrating 100 years in 2018, the CNIB Foundation is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Our work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners from coast to coast to coast. To learn more or get involved, visit cnib.ca

Défi Sportif:

The Défi sportif AlterGo is Canada’s biggest multi-sport event. With a worldwide reach, it’s the only event bringing athletes, from up-and-comers to elite-level with all types of functional limitations, together since 1984. The Défi sportif AlterGo is the flagship event of AlterGo Événements, one of the 3 entities of AlterGo, a unifying organization driver of social innovation with universal accessibility at its heart.

2025 Team Canada Leadership Team Announcement: