The Ottawa Senators’ home, the Canadian Tire Centre, will witness a historic moment as it hosts the first Canadian blind hockey game on NHL ice. The game is part of the 2023 Eastern Regional Blind Hockey Tournament, with this being the third time the tournament graces Ottawa.
Eastern Regional Blind Hockey Tournament Details
Venue: The Canadian Tire Centre will make history by hosting the inaugural game of the 2023 Eastern Regional Blind Hockey Tournament.
Tournament History: This marks the third occurrence of the tournament in Ottawa, following its debut in 2017 and a return in 2019.
Blind Hockey Overview: Blind hockey is specifically designed for athletes with varying levels of vision impairment, ranging from legally blind (approximately 10% vision) to complete blindness. The game incorporates an adapted puck that produces noise and is larger than the traditional puck.
Bell Capital Cup Involvement: The blind hockey series is integrated into the 23rd edition of the Bell Capital Cup, which features over 200 teams across U-10 to U-13 divisions from three continents.
Unique Puck Design: The adapted puck used in blind hockey contributes to the accessibility of the game for visually impaired players.
Bell Capital Cup Scale: With more than 200 youth teams participating in the Bell Capital Cup, organizers anticipate large crowds, providing an excellent platform to showcase blind hockey.
Canadian Blind Hockey’s Role
Matt Morrow, the executive director of Canadian Blind Hockey, expresses excitement about the participation of blind hockey players from six provinces. The event aims to raise awareness for para sports.
Free and Open to the Public
All three games of the Eastern Regionals are free to attend, inviting the public to witness and support blind hockey.
2023 Eastern Regional Blind Hockey Tournament schedule
| Game | Date/Time | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thursday, Dec 28, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Canadian Tire Centre | 100 Palladium Way, Ottawa, ON |
| 2 | Friday, Dec 29, 10:55 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Bell Sensplex | 1565 Maple Grove Road, Stittsville, ON |
| 3 | Friday, Dec 29, 4:10 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | Bell Sensplex | 1565 Maple Grove Road, Stittsville, ON |
This event not only represents a significant milestone for blind hockey in Canada but also serves as an inclusive and awareness-building initiative within the larger context of youth hockey tournaments.