Zach Lavin didn’t grow up dreaming of hockey. In Essex, his childhood was filled with nearly every other sport instead. “Volleyball, basketball, wrestling, you name it,” he said. “But never really any hockey.” Today, he’s preparing to represent Canada at the Paralympic Winter Games — a journey that began with a life-threatening ordeal thousands of kilometres from home. After leaving Essex and moving out west, Lavin became lost in the Rocky Mountains. He survived alone for three days before being rescued, but the exposure left permanent damage. “I suffered severe frostbite in my hands and feet,” Lavin recalled. “Luckily, my hands are fully recovered, but I had to get my feet both amputated below the knee.” The recovery was long and difficult, but Lavin says he never faced it alone. “Coming from a small town like Essex, I had so much support. “Family and friends always just helping me through it and wishing the best for me,” he said. Not long after, he was introduced to para ice hockey — and discovered a sport that would change his life. “Believe it or not, you know, one of the worst things that ever happened ended up being an awesome opportunity for me to take a shot at it.” Lavin, 28, has since become a key member of Canada’s national team, travelling the world and competing against the best players in the sport. “It’s been an amazing experience,” he said. “Traveling the world with a great group of guys and everything Hockey Canada has done for the program. I’m just so happy to be part of it.” He was part of Canada’s silver medal team at the 2018 Paralympic Games and has also helped the country capture multiple world championship medals, including gold in 2024. But Lavin says the honour of representing his country goes far beyond results. “Anytime I get to wear the maple leaf on my chest is the next best day of my life,” he said. “But, if there’re kids that see this and they become inspired to get into hockey or get into sled hockey, specifically, that means more than me getting them to put on the jersey.” Despite his international success, Lavin’s connection to Essex remains as strong as ever. After the Paralympics he and his fiancée, Madison, will get married. Before returning to the community where his journey first began. “I’m proud to say I’m from Essex and I’ll always have that is my hometown on any hockey card.”
