Over the weekend, hockey games at the Moncton Coliseum demonstrated that playing the world’s fastest team sport does not require vision. A total of more than 30 players from different parts of Canada took part in a three-game series during the Eastern Regional Blind Hockey Tournament held in New Brunswick for the first time. The teams consisted of players from all four Atlantic provinces.
Simon Richard, a player from Moncton, New Brunswick, emphasized the lack of awareness about blind hockey and expressed his desire for the sport to be included in the Paralympics. He highlighted the significance of acknowledging the existence of blind hockey. Richard mentioned that despite being challenging initially, it is an important game to play.
The tournament, organized by the CNIB foundation, a non-profit organization supporting the blind, showcased a unique form of the sport. Richard explained that blind hockey employs a special metal puck, significantly larger than the traditional one. Players with 10% vision or less participate, while goalies have no vision and rely on other senses to play, tracking the puck through sound cues.
Richard, a member of Canada’s national blind hockey team, commended the high level of skill displayed by all players at the Moncton tournament, making the games enjoyable over the weekend. He specifically praised the goalies for their exceptional abilities.
John Quilty’s grandson, Aidan Quilty, participated in the tournament for Team Yellow, competing against Richard’s Team Black. John Quilty, who rarely sees Aidan play, was grateful to attend the tournament in Moncton, driving from Nova Scotia for the event. He appreciated the inclusivity of blind hockey and its positive impact on young athletes.
Matt Morrow, executive director of Canadian Blind Hockey, mentioned the misconception that blind hockey is a heavily modified, slower version of the game. He clarified that watching elite athletes compete at such a high level shows that blind hockey is essentially the same beloved game enjoyed by all.