COVID concerns cancel national para hockey team events in Elmira
Posted Jan 19, 2022 12:00:00 PM.
It was supposed to be the last International competition ahead of the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games for Canada's Paralympic sledge hockey team.
But a training camp and two exhibition games set for Elmira in a couple of weeks have been cancelled.
The region's Sport Hosting Office made the announcement Monday, citing both “barriers facing the American team around travelling,” as well as placing an emphasis on keeping the health of both players and coaches top of mind.
The plans were scheduled for January 30 to February 6 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira, including a two-game series against the United States.
Sledge hockey has been carried in the Paralympic Winter Games since 1994.
In a release, the Sport Hosting Office said they'll be working to bring the National Para Hockey Team to the region again in the future, with the goal of the 2022-23 season.
The team last visited the region in 2020.
Canada's Para Hockey Team will be competing in Beijing when the games kick off in early March, aiming to bring the nation's sixth Paralympic medal in the sport.
Canada last won gold in sledge hockey in 2006 at Torino with a win over Norway.
Their most recent podium finish was silver in Pyeongchang in 2018.
