Veteran forward Greg Westlake is set to participate in his sixth Paralympic Games as Canada’s Para hockey team aims for its first Olympic gold medal in two decades at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics. Westlake, who recently returned from retirement, is part of the 17-player roster unveiled by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
The Paralympic Games will kick off on March 6 and conclude on March 15 following the Olympic Games in Italy. At 39 years old, Westlake stands as the sole player on the roster who was part of the Canadian team that secured gold at the 2006 Turin Paralympics. Having served as an assistant coach for Canada for two seasons, Westlake made the decision last year to make the 2026 Games his final Olympic appearance.
Adam Dixon, a forward, will compete in his fifth Paralympics, while team captain Tyler McGregor will be participating in his fourth. Defencemen Rob Armstrong and Tyrone Henry, alongside goalie Corbin Watson, will be attending their third Paralympic Games.
Forward Liam Hickey will be attending his fourth Games but his third as a Para hockey player, having previously participated in the 2016 Rio Games in wheelchair basketball. Additionally, several players, including Vincent Boily, Micah Kovacevich, and defencemen Shawn Burnett, Auren Halbert, and Mathieu Lelièvre, will be making their Paralympic debuts.
The United States has clinched four consecutive gold medals since the Turin Paralympics, with Canada securing silver in 2022 and 2018 and bronze in 2014. The U.S. has emerged victorious against Canada in four out of the last five world championship finals, with Canada prevailing in 2024 to clinch the world title in Calgary.
Canada’s first Paralympic game is scheduled for March 7 against Slovakia, followed by matches against Japan on March 9 and Czechia on March 10. The participating countries are divided into two pools, with the defending champion U.S., China, Germany, and host Italy in another pool. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals, with the medal matches set for March 15.
The Para hockey team, together with NHL players and top female athletes, attended a Hockey Canada Olympic orientation camp in August, which greatly impacted the Para players. This experience boosted their confidence and sense of recognition, emphasizing the importance of equality and high performance within the sports community.
Hockey Canada’s primary objective at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games is to secure triple gold across men’s, women’s, and Para hockey. McGregor expressed the team’s commitment to supporting each other through the challenges and triumphs of the journey, highlighting the significance of unity and mutual encouragement among the athletes.
The orientation camp laid a solid foundation for the upcoming season, fostering a sense of camaraderie between the Para team and their male and female counterparts, as they prepare to compete in Milan.