Key Takeaways:
- Canada’s Para ice hockey team has a strong goaltending tandem consisting of Corbin Watson, Adam Kingsmill, and Jean-François Huneault.
- The team’s goaltenders have a collaborative approach, with each player bringing their unique strengths and experiences to the table.
- The goaltenders have overcome various challenges, including physical disabilities and career setbacks, to become top-level athletes.
- The team’s goal is to bring home gold at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
- The goaltenders’ experiences and approaches to the game are shaped by their individual backgrounds and influences, including their favorite NHL goalies and personal struggles.
Introduction to Canada’s Para Ice Hockey Team
The Canadian Para ice hockey team is known for its talented players, including scoring forwards Tyler McGregor, Dominic Cozzolino, and Liam Hickey, as well as legendary player Greg Westlake and defenseman Tyrone Henry. However, the team’s true backbone is its goaltending tandem, consisting of Corbin Watson, Adam Kingsmill, and Jean-François Huneault. According to head coach Boris Rybalka, having three great goalies is a blessing and a bonus for Team Canada, as they have a common denominator – a focus on the team. This power trio has enabled Canada to boast the deepest and most collaborative goaltending in the international game.
The Importance of Goaltending
In hockey, goaltenders are often considered the most critical players on the team, and Canada’s Para ice hockey team is no exception. The team’s goaltenders have been instrumental in their success, allowing only six goals in five games at the recent Para Hockey Cup in Dawson Creek, B.C. All three goaltenders played in the tournament, with Kingsmill and Watson each playing against the reigning Paralympic and world champions, the Americans, and Huneault backstopping Canada to a 3-1 victory over world championship bronze medalist Czechia. The team’s goaltenders are aware that if they are doing their job well, they will not be in the spotlight, and they prefer it that way.
The Goaltenders’ Backgrounds and Experiences
Each of Canada’s Para ice hockey goaltenders has a unique background and experience. Corbin Watson, the most experienced player at 38, competed at the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Games, earning bronze and silver medals. He stepped away from the game for a couple of seasons but made a comeback and is now an integral part of the team. Watson’s goaltending heroes are Martin Brodeur and Miikka Kiprusoff, and he has had to adapt to playing with a sled after losing his leg in a car accident in 2006. Adam Kingsmill, a native of Smithers, B.C., first put on skates at age two, just months after a leg amputation, and has been playing goaltender ever since. He cites Roberto Luongo as a huge influence and is known for his dedication to the game, taking notes, watching videos, and asking questions to improve his skills.
The Goaltenders’ Approaches to the Game
Jean-François Huneault’s path to becoming a Para ice hockey goaltender was different from his teammates. He stopped playing hockey at 14 due to a rare neurological condition but was inspired to try again at 24 after watching a video of a former national team goaltender. Huneault has progressed quickly, earning a spot on the national team in 2023, and is known for his unbelievable attitude, phenomenal heart, and desire to improve. According to Rybalka, Huneault has an incredible work ethic and is focused on making himself and the team better. The goaltenders’ approaches to the game are shaped by their individual backgrounds and influences, and they have developed a collaborative approach, with each player bringing their unique strengths and experiences to the table.
The Goaltenders’ Relationship and Team Dynamics
Despite being competitors for the starting position, Watson and Kingsmill have a strong relationship built on openness and a desire to push each other to be their best. They have crossed paths throughout their careers, with Watson even providing Kingsmill’s first sled. The three goaltenders are all focused on one goal – to bring home gold at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. According to Watson, "We both want to be the starter, but we push each other. If one of us is struggling, the other is there." This camaraderie and teamwork have been instrumental in the team’s success, and they will be crucial as they prepare for the upcoming Paralympic Games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canada’s Para ice hockey team has a strong goaltending tandem that is the backbone of the team. The goaltenders’ unique backgrounds, experiences, and approaches to the game have enabled them to develop a collaborative approach, with each player bringing their strengths and weaknesses to the table. With their focus on teamwork and their goal of bringing home gold at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, Canada’s Para ice hockey team is poised for success. The team’s goaltenders are an inspiration to fans and aspiring athletes alike, demonstrating that with hard work, dedication, and a passion for the game, anything is possible.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(743x241:745x243)/Sabrina-Carpenter-121725-c359ffae87364da0a9e38aa641989592.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Celebrities in the Spotlight")
