2024 Selection Camp Takes CentRE Stage in Niagara
TORONTO, Ontario - The 2024 National Selection Camp for the Canadian Women’s Para Hockey Team is set to unfold from January 3-7, 2024, in Niagara, with ice times taking place at Canada Games Park in Thorold, ON. This camp will be conducted on the traditional unceded lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) peoples, part of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation.
Twenty-six women from across Canada, representing the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, have earned an invitation to the camp. Highlighting the list are 18 silver medalists (Adam, Assinck, Buchanan, Charron-Pilotte, Clements, Croteau, Darnley, Frittenburg, Gregory, Halik, Harris, King, Mah, Racine, Souveny, Spong, Tousignant, White) who represented Team Canada at the 2023 IPC Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Challenge in Green Bay, WI, USA.
The diverse lineup includes three bronze medalists from Team World at the 2023 World Challenge (Bisaillon, Fanizza, Yurczyszyn), a former Team Canada member (Picton), and four athletes vying for an opportunity to compete at an international level for the first time (Bennett, Manning, Nasr, Vergie).
“Each year our selection camp gets more and more competitive which makes our job tough as coaches but in the best way possible,” said assistant coach and former Canadian National Para Hockey player, Derek Whitson.
Whitson will be joined by head coach Tara Chisholm who enters her 11th season as head coach, assistant coach and former captain of Team Alberta Para Hockey, Shawn Lucas, and goalie coach, Tim Whitson.
In addition to practices, testing, and training, two Red vs. White scrimmages will take place at Algoma Central Arena and are open to the public. The first game begins at 5:00 PM EST on Friday, January 5, while the second scrimmage is set for 7:30 PM EST on Saturday, January 6.
The selection camp will be supported by a team of professionals, including Janice Coulter (Team Manager), Geneva Coulter (Equipment Manager), Katie Mitchell (Registered Physiotherapist/Certified Athletic Therapist), Dr. Julie Ingratta (Team Physician), Erica Gavel (Physiologist/Research & Innovation), and Abbi Gibson (Strength & Conditioning Coach).
Remarkably, this marks the second-ever selection camp where expenses are covered for both athletes and staff, thanks to the groundbreaking Sticks In Campaign. Launched on December 7, 2022, this national campaign aims to raise $1 million from corporate sponsors to fully fund the Women’s National Para Hockey Team. Canadian Tire, a founding sponsor, has been a long-time supporter of women’s hockey and a critical partner in advancing Women’s Para Hockey of Canada’s goals. To learn more about Sticks In, please visit www.sticksin.ca.
“There is no doubt that the support of our partners, Canadian Tire and Bauer, have helped immensely with getting women from across the country there competing for a spot instead of worrying about resources,” added Whitson. “The importance of investment in women's sport can't be overstated."
For additional information or media inquiries, please contact Janice Coulter at president@wphcanada.com.