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Veteran forward Greg Westlake will head to his sixth Paralympic Games as Canada’s Para hockey team looks for its first Olympic gold medal in 20 years at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics.
Westlake, who recently came out of retirement, is among the Paralympic veterans on the 17-player roster released Tuesday by Hockey Canada and Canadian Paralympic Committee. The 39-year-old is the only player on the roster who was on the Canadian team that won gold at the 2006 Turin Paralympics in Italy.
Forward Adam Dixon will compete in his fifth Paralympics, while forward Tyler McGregor will play in his fourth and defencemen Rob Armstrong and Tyrone Henry and goaltender Corbin Watson head to their third.
Forward Liam Hickey will also be at his fourth Games, but third as a Para hockey player after competing in the 2016 Rio Games in wheelchair basketball.
Forwards Vincent Boily and Micah Kovacevich and defencemen Shawn Burnett, Auren Halbert and Mathieu Lelievre will make their Paralympic debuts.
The United States has won four straight gold medals since Turin, with Canada claiming silver in 2022 and 2018 and bronze in 2014. Canada plays its first game at the 2026 Paralympics on March 7 against Slovakia.
“Coming out of retirement wasn’t a decision I took lightly, but the opportunity to chase a gold medal with this group was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Westlake said in a news release. “I still have the same passion for the game and the same pride in wearing the Maple Leaf.
“This team has something special, and I’m excited to bring my experience, leadership and compete level back to the ice as we pursue our ultimate goal together.”
Canada roster
Goaltenders — Adam Kingsmill, Smithers, B.C.; Corbin Watson, Kingsville, Ont.
Defencemen — Rob Armstrong, Erin, Ont.; Shawn Burnett, McMasterville, Que.; Auren Halbert, Calgary; Tyrone Henry, Ottawa; Mathieu Lelièvre, Levis, Que.
Forwards — Vincent Boily, Alma, Que.; Dominic Cozzolino, Mississauga, Ont.; Adam Dixon — Midland, Ont.; James Dunn, Wallacetown, Ont.; Liam Hickey, St. John’s, N.L.; Anton Jacobs-Webb, Gatineau, Que.; Micah Kovacevich, Edmonton; Zach Lavin, Essex, Ont.; Tyler McGregor, Forest, Ont.; Greg Westlake — Oakville, Ont.
