Fifty-five athletes named to Canadian Paralympic Team for PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games

- Largest contingent is in Para ice hockey with 17 athletes
- 25 athletes will be making their Paralympic debut
- 18 members of the team have Paralympic medals on their resume

OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2018 /CNW/ - A total of 55 athletes will comprise the PyeongChang 2018 Canadian Paralympic Team, as the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced today the official list of athletes selected to represent Canada at the Winter Games from March 9-18, 2018 in South Korea.  

In addition, 16 coaches and 26 support staff will be heading to PyeongChang to support the athletes. The team will be led by Chef de Mission Todd Nicholson, a three-time Paralympic medallist in Para ice hockey.

Canadian Paralympians by Home Province (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships))

Canada will be represented in all five sports on the Paralympic Winter Games docket: Para alpine, Para ice hockey, Para nordic (cross-country and biathlon), Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling.

Please click here for the complete Canadian Paralympic Team list  

Please click here to access the PyeongChang 2018 Canadian Paralympic Team Media Guide, featuring athlete and head coach bios

"Congratulations to all of the athletes who have earned a spot on the Canadian Paralympic Team," said Chef de Mission Nicholson. "This is a talented team of strong competitors and we are heading to PyeongChang looking to be leaders both on and off the field of play. We wish the athletes the best of luck with their final preparations, and encourage everyone across the country to cheer on this group of extraordinary Canadians. We are less than two weeks away now from the Games, and we are excited and ready to get started."

About the PyeongChang 2018 Canadian Paralympic Team:

• 55 athletes is the largest team ever to represent Canada at the Paralympic Winter Games, besting Sochi 2014 by one athlete.
• 25 athletes will be competing at the Paralympic Games for the first time.
• The most experienced Paralympian is hockey player Brad Bowden with five previous Games appearances to his name (four Winter, one Summer).
• 18 members of the team have won a Paralympic medal.
• Para nordic skier Brian McKeever holds the most Paralympic medals on the team with 13, including 10 gold, two silver and one bronze, from four Paralympic Games.
• The oldest athlete on the team is James Anseeuw from wheelchair curling at 58 years old.
• The youngest athlete on the team is Para ice hockey's James Dunn who turned 17 years old on November 12.
• Para ice hockey is bringing the largest contingent with 17 athletes.
• The smallest team is wheelchair curling, with five athletes.
• For its second appearance in the Paralympic Games, Para snowboard is bringing seven athletes including its two returning riders from Sochi 2014.
• Ontario is home to the most members of the Canadian Paralympic Team with 19 athletes hailing from the province. Following behind is Alberta with 10, British Columbia with nine, Quebec with seven, Manitoba with three, Saskatchewan with three, and Prince Edward Island with two. Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador each have one athlete.
• Three athletes have also competed in summer sports at the Paralympic Games: Brad Bowden, Cindy Ouellet, and Liam Hickey (all in wheelchair basketball). Ouellet and Hickey will be making their Winter Games debuts.
• The roster includes three guides: Jack Leitch (guide for Mac Marcoux) and Graham Nishikawa and Russell Kennedy (guides for Brian McKeever).

"Congratulations to these exceptional athletes who will represent Canada at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games," said The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities. "With such a strong delegation, there is no doubt that we will experience some breathtaking moments. I wish you good luck at the Games. Enjoy every moment and remember that all of Canada is behind you!"

Canadians will be able to connect more than ever to the nation's Paralympic athletes, as every minute of the Games will be broadcast via the Canadian Paralympic Committee's media consortium, which will include coverage on Canada's Paralympic Network CBC and Radio-Canada, Sportsnet, AMI, Facebook, and Twitter. Full broadcast details will be announced shortly so all Canadians can witness the greatness of Canada's Paralympians.   

The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games will take place March 9-18, 2018. Approximately 670 athletes from around the world will compete in a total of 80 medal events.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: Paralympic.ca

Media attachés by sport

SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)

MEDIA CONTACTS: Nicole Watts, Manager, Public Relations, Canadian Paralympic Committee, 613-462-2700, [email protected]; Louis Daignault, Coordinator, Communications, Canadian Paralympic Committee, 613-297-1455, [email protected]