This year, two sports are making a return to the Défi sportif AlterGo after several years, each featuring their own major competition: Blind ice hockey and wheelchair curling.
These two sports are absolute must-sees! Here’s everything you need to know about them.
An incredible first for blind ice hockey in Quebec!
Photo credit : Jade Lipczynski
This year, the Defi sportif AlterGo is hosting the first ever International Blind Ice Hockey Series to be held in Quebec thanks to a collaboration with Blind Hockey Canada.
Where? At Howie-Morenz Arena
When?
Friday, April 25 at 4PM
Saturday, April 26 at 3PM
Sunday, April 27 at 10AM
What is blind hockey?
Blind hockey is a variation of traditional ice hockey adapted for players with visual impairments. It is played with a puck that makes noise—a steel shell filled with metal balls—which is three times the size of a standard puck and significantly heavier.
How many players are on the ice at once in a blind hockey game?
Each team has 6 players on the ice at a time.Players are assigned a score of 1, 2, or 3 based on their visual classification: B1, B2, or B3. Each classification is identified by a different helmet color. Teams are allowed a maximum of 14 points on the ice at any given time, including the goaltender, who is always classified as B1 (completely blind). A team may choose to pull its goaltender for an extra player. In that case, the team is allowed a total of 16 points on the ice.
How different are the rules from traditional ice hockey?
Blind hockey rules are very similar to the hockey we know except for a few exceptions.
The most significant adapted rule is the “pass rule,” which dictates that the attacking team must complete at least one pass after crossing the offensive blue line before attempting to score. Once this condition is met, the referee will sound a distinct electronic whistle to indicate to all players that the attacking team is now eligible to score.
If the puck comes to a complete stop in the crease after the goaltender has made a save, it is declared frozen, and the play is stopped immediately.
Is the net the same as traditional ice hockey?
Since the blind hockey puck doesn’t make much noise when it’s in the air and the goalies are blind, the nets used in blind hockey are modified to be three feet high—one foot shorter than the standard four-foot-high nets.
Are there players from Quebec to watch for during the International Series?
Two players from Quebec are part of the National blind hockey team that will face the American team at the Défi sportif AlterGo : Bruno Haché (no.35) and Thomas Raymond (no.58)
Thomas Raymond is also an ambassador athlete for the 42nd Défi sportif AlterGo. Learn more about him here:
Thomas Raymond – Rising star blind hockey
To know more about the International Blind Ice Hockey Series, click here.
Canada’s wheelchair curling is back after a 5-year absence!
In collaboration with the Boucherville Curling Club, we will be hosting the Canadian Wheelchair Curling National Championship in 2025 and 2026. This marks the return of the championship to Quebec, as well as to the Défi sportif AlterGo, for the first time since 2019.
Where? At the Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot de Boucherville
When?
Monday, April 28, 3PM to 6PM
Tuesday, April 29, 10AM to 9:30PM
Wednesday, April 30, 10:00AM to 9:30PM
Thursday, May 1st, 10:30AM to 9:30PM
Friday, May 2nd, 11AM to 6PM
Saturday May 3rd:
– Silver medal match: 11AM
– Gold medal match: 3PM
What is wheelchair curling?
Wheelchair curling is adapted for people with lower-body impairments who need a wheelchair for daily mobility.
A match is played in eight ends.
How are wheelchair curling teams formed?
Wheelchair curling teams are mixed, and a female athlete must always be on the ice. Teams are made up of 5 athletes: a lead, second, vice-skip, skip, and alternate.
What are the adaptations for wheelchair curling?
The rules for wheelchair curling are pretty much the same as for able-bodied curling. The wheelchair must be stationary during the release. The stones are pushed with a stick and the shot must be even more precise, as there is no sweep.
Article photo credits
Wheelchair curling : Patrick Beauchemin
Blind hockey: D&T
