Athletes compete in Port Colborne for the National Para Hockey Championships

The 2024 National Para Hockey tournament is being played at Port Colborne’s Vale Health and Wellness Centre this weekend.

The trophy presented to the champion of Sunday’s championship game is known as the Todd Nicholson Trophy.

Five-time Paralympian and former Team Canada player Todd Nicholson says he’s honoured.

“It means a lot, couple years ago I was approached and asked if I would be willing to put my name on the cup as one of the athletes that excelled in this sport many years ago, it’s an honour for the cup to be named after you,” said Nicholson.

Seven provincial teams including host Ontario and defending champion Quebec are competing for the big prize.

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Tim Dool, the Chair of the National Para Hockey Championships, expressed his admiration for the athletes, saying, “When I look out there and see some of these athletes and what they have had to overcome with disabilities, I see them as some of the best athletes in the world.”

The head coach of Team Ontario, Adam Stoppa, has been managing the team for a year now.

“This team is an amazing team. We are a young team with a lot of new players their growth and development have been phenomenal this year. I’m very proud of this team where they are right now and where we are going to be by the end of tomorrow,” says Stoppa.

The final games will be played on Sunday at 9 and 11:30 in the morning.

Organizers are encouraging people to come out and watch the tournament free of charge.

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