Veteran forward Greg Westlake is set to participate in his sixth Winter Paralympic Games as part of Canada’s Para ice hockey team, aiming to secure the country’s first gold medal in two decades at the upcoming Milan-Cortina event. Westlake, who recently returned from retirement, is among the experienced Paralympians featured in the 17-player roster unveiled by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The Winter Paralympics will commence 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 contributed to Canada’s gold victory at the 2006 Turin Paralympics. After serving as an assistant coach for two seasons, Westlake made the decision last year to mark the 2026 Paralympics as his final Olympic appearance.
Adam Dixon will be participating in his fifth Paralympics, while team captain Tyler McGregor will be competing in his fourth. Defenders Rob Armstrong and Tyrone Henry, along with goalie Corbin Watson, are heading into their third Paralympic Games. Forward Liam Hickey, on the other hand, will partake in his fourth Games and third as a Para ice hockey player, having previously engaged in wheelchair basketball during the 2016 Rio Games.
Newcomers to the Paralympic stage include forwards Vincent Boily and Micah Kovacevich, as well as defenders Shawn Burnett, Auren Halbert, and Mathieu Lelièvre. The United States has secured four consecutive gold medals since Turin, with Canada clinching silver in 2022 and 2018, and bronze in 2014. The U.S. has notably triumphed over Canada in four of the last five world championship finals.
Canada’s Paralympic journey kicks off on March 7 against Slovakia, followed by matches against Japan on March 9 and Czechia on March 10. Eight nations are divided into two pools, with the defending champion U.S., China, Germany, and host Italy forming the other pool. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semifinals, with the medal matches scheduled for March 15.
McGregor emphasized the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead, recognizing the unpredictability of the Paralympic environment and the need for resilience in pivotal moments. The Para team’s involvement in an Olympic orientation camp alongside NHL players and top female athletes in August left a lasting impact on the players, providing a sense of validation and confidence in their abilities.
With Hockey Canada aiming for triple gold in the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, McGregor highlighted the importance of unity and mutual support among all teams. The inclusive orientation camp experience has set a positive tone for the season, fostering a deeper connection between the Para team and their counterparts in men’s and women’s hockey.
Canada Roster
Goaltenders — Adam Kingsmill (Smithers, B.C.), Corbin Watson (Kingsville, Ont.)
Defencemen — Rob Armstrong (Erin, Ont.), Shawn Burnett (McMasterville, Que.), Auren Halbert (Calgary), Tyrone Henry (Ottawa), Mathieu Lelièvre (Levis, Que.)
Forwards — Vincent Boily (Alma, Que.), Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, Ont.), Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.), James Dunn (Wallacetown, Ont.), Liam Hickey (St. John’s, N.L.), Anton Jacobs-Webb (Gatineau, Que.), Micah Kovacevich (Edmonton), Zach Lavin (Essex, Ont.), Tyler McGregor (Forest, Ont.), Greg Westlake (Oakville, Ont.)