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

The Canadian National Blind Hockey Team aims to defend its title against Team USA at the 2025 International Blind Ice Hockey Series, which will be held from April 25 to 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 its 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 sport's first appearance at Defi Sportif in 2010, leaders from across the then tiny 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, 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 – 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

• 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 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 together athletes, from up-and-comers to elite-level, with all types of functional limitations, since 1984. The Défi sportif AlterGo is the flagship event of AlterGo Événements, one of the three entities of AlterGo, a unifying organization driving social innovation with universal accessibility at its heart.

 2025 Team Canada Leadership Team Announcement:

Hockey is a team effort, and we’re proud of how these players exhibit sportsmanship, hard work, and help steer the game. We are thrilled to share the leadership team for the 2025 Canadian National Blind Hockey team:

 – Kelly Serbu, Cole Harbor NS, will continue to serve as Captain for Team Canada

– Jason Yuha, Rosalind AB, will continue to serve as Assistant Captain

– Simon Richard, Moncton NB, will continue to serve as Assistant Captain

– Mark DeMontis, Toronto ON, has been announced to serve as Assistant Captain for 2025.

Vision, Mission Statement, Values

Vision

World leaders in Blind Hockey.

Mission Statement

Canadian Blind Hockey works to ensure that every Canadian who is blind or partially sighted can participate in the parasport of Blind Hockey from the pond to the podium.

Values: Hockey’s Declaration of Principles

Canadian Blind Hockey believes in Hockey’s “Declaration of Principles” as endorsed by Hockey Canada, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the NHL, NHLPA, and 13 other leading Hockey organizations. The “Declaration of Principles” reads:

We believe every leader of the sport is responsible for inspiring stakeholders to deliver a positive family Hockey experience. Hockey participation offers families value beyond making an individual a better player or athlete. The game of Hockey is a powerful platform for participants to build character, foster positive values and develop essential life skills. These benefits are available to all players, desirable to every family and transcend the game.

Today, guided by our shared values, we jointly pledge to the following Principles.

We Believe:

1. Hockey should be an enjoyable family experience; all stakeholders – organizations, players, parents, siblings, coaches, referees, volunteers and rink operators – play a role in this effort.

2. Hockey’s most significant value is the role it plays in the development of character and life skills.

3. All hockey organizations—regardless of size or level of competition—bring value to players and families by delivering a positive family experience.

4. Physical activity is essential for a healthy body, mind and spirit.

5. There are significant benefits of youth participation in multiple sports.

6. Hockey programs should be age-appropriate for all players, accounting for each individual’s physical, emotional and cognitive development.

7. There is great value in all forms of Hockey, both on and off the ice.

8. All Hockey programs should provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for players and families regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. Simply put, Hockey is for everyone.