The first-ever Ontario Cup for blind hockey was hosted in Ottawa at the Tom Brown Arena this weekend. Presented by Canadian Blind Hockey, the tournament brought together about 50 blind athletes from across Canada, showcasing the growing sport in the nation’s capital. “Truly, let’s us, as an organization, know that we’re on the right path to grow this para sport across our country,” said Luca DeMontis, director of programs for Canadian Blind Hockey. “Blind hockey is played by children, youth and adults who are blind and partially sighted with 10 per cent vision or less. All these players on the ice do have a visual impairment. It is important for our community to have the opportunity to play a sport and to feel like they are a part of a team.” DeMontis says the tournament gives players a sense of purpose and pride on and off the ice. Dante Giammarioli, 18, from Edmonton is happy to be playing in the inaugural Ontario Cup. “It’s a great experience. Being able to be here with a bunch of others with the same visual impairment as me,” said Giammarioli. Giammarioli has been playing blind hockey for about five years. Giammarioli says he has about seven per cent of his vision and relies completely on his peripheral vision. “I just want to keep growing the sport and making sure that it gets told to the entire world, and that everyone that’s visually impaired has this opportunity to play this great sport,” said Giammarioli. “Hockey is for everyone.” Blind hockey features a large hollow puck with ball bearings inside, allowing players to hear the game. Some rules also altered. No body checking is allowed and once in the offensive zone, a team must complete at least one pass before they can shoot on net. “What’s most important is just getting blind and visually impaired athletes a chance to participate in a game that everyone has got to watch from being a kid. This is Canada’s sport and it’s incredible that everybody has that opportunity to play. It really goes to show that hockey is for everyone,” said player Amy Burk. As blind hockey continues to grow across Ontario and Canada, organizers say the Ontario Cup is a celebration of how far the para sport has come over the past 15 years in Canada and creates more opportunities at both the recreational and competitive levels for athletes. “The first time a participant gets a jersey, they feel part of the team. It’s remarkable to see that smile on their face, to know they are part of something bigger than just themselves,” said DeMontis. Giammarioli’s team won the first ever Ontario Cup for adults. “It’s great. This was a very competitive game. Hard fight during the entire series and just felt great being able to pull through as a team and win this,” said Giammarioli. “It was an emotional roller coaster to say the least.” The organizers say they hope to keep growing the game from coast to coast. The Ontario Cup will return to Ottawa next year.
