2025 Para Hockey National Championship held in Bridgewater, N.S.

As the National Para Hockey Championships kick-off in Bridgewater, Team Atlantic encourages everyone to try the sport.

Sledge hockey is for everyone.

That is the message coming from the 2025 Para Hockey National Championship, which is being held in Bridgewater, N.S., from Thursday to Sunday.

“It’s just great. Great publicity for the small town,” said director Rick Amy. “Years ago, they had the worlds here, and they had a great showing with lots of fans. And now we’re bringing nationals here and hoping to sell out on those tickets, even though the event is free.”

Growing the game in the province is a priority for Nova Scotia Hockey.

“Interest in Nova Scotia is growing by the day. Diversity Inclusion Task Force has committed to a five- year strategy on building air hockey in the province,” said Dean Smith, chair of the committee with Hockey Nova Scotia.

“We’re looking forward to that development.”

He said this opportunity to host provinces from British Columbia to Atlantic Canada is great for the sport and the community.

“It means a great deal for the community. Not only is it a huge financial incentive, but building the game in Lunenburg and Bridgewater is an amazing accomplishment,” said Smith. “The facilities here facilitate the game quite well. And having teams from across the country involved in this championship is amazing.”

Amy got involved when his son started playing and he started coaching. He said the sport gives an opportunity for both mental and physical growth.

“It just gets people out and about. It gets people active. I’ve always said that you see people that are shy and timid, and to get in a sled, to get on the ice and you see a whole different person there, outgoing, talkative, and you just have a great time.”

“I was playing, as most kids did, stand up when I was young,” said Remi Ouellette. “Trying to keep up with friends but it got to a point where my knees and body couldn’t hold up, so I found this sport and have been loving it ever since.”

“I went to a regular appointment with my physio at the IWK,” said Hadley Friddenburg. “And there were signs and recommendations there, so my dad pointed to it and was like, ‘Hey, is that something Hadley could do?’ and she said, ‘Oh, yeah, of course.’ And that Sunday we hopped on the ice. It was my first time playing.”

Friddenburg plays for the women’s national team and wants more local talent on her squad.

“Growing the sport here and especially with women to kind of grow that out here. I hope to see more women from the East Coast on the roster at the national team,” she said.

Ouellette said the community is the best part of the sport.

For Jaydan Poirier, playing at home is the best part of this tournament.

“It means everything. It means my family, friends can see me play at the highest level and it really brings this hockey community together,” Poirier said. “You know, share experiences, share our journeys and to be able to help spread the sport around here.”

Jiesheng Boutilier, who has been playing for several years, doubled down on that sentiment.

“It’s good to have it here. Nationals have been in Ontario and Montreal, that’s at least where I’ve been and I’ve heard the oppositions crowd for some time now,” he said. “To be able to hear my friends in the crowd, instead of a text message after the game saying I’ve been great, it’s something really special to me.”

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