Achi news desk-
The Canadian team trying to regain the para hockey world championship on home ice was announced Thursday by Hockey Canada.
Canada is the host team for the 2024 world championship May 4-12 in Calgary.
The 17-player roster includes a dozen returnees from the squad that took silver in 2023 in Moose Jaw, Sask.
Canada lost 6-1 to the United States in the final after also falling 5-1 and 3-2 in overtime to the Americans in the 2021 and 2019 finals, respectively, in Ostrava, Czechia.
Canada also finished second to the United States at the 2022 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Canada last claimed a world para title in 2017 in Gangneung, South Korea.
The 2024 world championship roster includes Canada’s three leading scorers in Moose Jaw – Dominic Cozzolino of Mississauga, Ont., Tyler McGregor of Forest, Ont., and Adam Dixon of Midland, Ont.
“We have been working hard to grow as a team since our initial evaluation camp in September,” Canadian head coach Russ Herrington said in a statement.
“All of our players have shown resilience and perseverance this season, which has made it challenging, in the best of ways, as a staff to compile this roster.
“Representing Canada on home ice is a special opportunity and we are confident that this group will make the necessary efforts to make Canadians proud from coast to coast.”
The Czech Republic, Italy and Japan will join Canada in Group B at the world championship, while Group A includes China, Korea, Slovakia and the United States.
The Canadians open May 4 against Japan before a May 5 game against Italy. They close the preliminary round on May 7 against 2023 bronze medalist Czech Republic.
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This report was first published by The Canadian Press on April 18, 2024.
