2023 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament Returns to Toronto

2023 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament Returns to Toronto

Event will set a record for participation with 165 players competing in six divisions including: Children, Youth, Low Vision & Development, Open, Women’s, and Canada vs USA.

(TORONTO. March 24, 2023) Canadian Blind Hockey is thrilled to announce that the world’s original Blind Hockey Tournament is back and bigger than ever with a record 165 participants competing in six different divisions! This will be the largest tournament in the history of the Para sport of Blind Ice Hockey with players from all 15 different Blind Hockey programs across Canada as well the United States, England, and Finland.

The 2023 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament takes place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre – the former Maple Leaf Gardens – in Toronto, ON from March 24 – 26, and is presented by AMI and brought to you by CNIB Foundation. All games are free and open to the public to attend and will be streamed live on the Canadian Blind Hockey YouTube Channel.

Opening ceremonies take place at 11:00 am on Friday, March 24, in front of an expected packed house as more than 1000 students from across the city are planning to come cheer on Team Canada as they look to defend their title against Team USA in the fourth installment of the International Blind Ice Hockey Series. The powerhouse Team Canada is undefeated against their American rivals having won the series in 2018, 2019, and 2022. Team Canada, and especially the seven local players and coaches, will be highly motivated as this will be the first-time that the best-on-best competition takes place in Toronto. View the roster here.

Immediately following Canada vs USA is the Women’s Blind Hockey Showcase Game that features 25 players from Canada, the USA, and Finland competing in only the second-ever all Women’s game. Blind Hockey has always been a co-ed sport, however the vast majority of participants have been men. Thanks in part to Canadian Blind Hockey’s new Girls & Women’s program stream more than 17 percent of participants across all divisions are female as the organization continues to work to grow that side of the game.

“The National Tournament has always been the catalyst for growing the sport,” said Canadian Blind Hockey Executive Director Matt Morrow. “When we founded this event in 2013 there were 45 players competing in one division.  We had only one American, only two women, and no children or youth.  So it’s truly incredible that at our ninth annual National Blind Hockey Tournament we now have six different divisions providing opportunities for everyone to participate and compete at all levels.”

The Para sport of Blind Hockey is played by athletes who are blind or partially sighted who have approximately 10% vision or less.  The sport uses an adapted puck that makes noise and is larger than a traditional puck.

2023 CANADIAN NATIONAL BLIND HOCKEY TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Mattamy Athletic Centre. 50 Carlton St. Toronto Ont.
March 24 – 26, 2023. Toronto, ON.

For more information, please contact:

Mel Carrey
Manager of Marketing & Communications
Canadian Blind Hockey
melcarrey@blindicehockey.com
(416) 526-8114

Matt Morrow
Executive Director
Canadian Blind Hockey
mattmorrow@blindicehockey.com
(604) 812-6786