When Maxime Gagnon was asked by a local club in Montreal to include parahockey in the Défi sportif AlterGo more than a decade ago, he knew nothing about the sport. Today he is one of the most passionate parahockey defenders in Quebec and Canada.

Curious to learn more about the discipline, Gagnon joined an 11-player club as a coach during a tournament in London, Ontario, as the team did not have one. His introduction to the sport was also his first day of work with the program in Montreal.

After his time behind the bench, he wanted to learn as much as possible about the team. What was the annual plan? Have there been recruitment efforts to bring in more players? The youth of this small club played simply for the love of their sport. Then he approached Parasports Quebecbut at that time there was no one in the organization dedicated to parahockey.

“I saw an opportunity there,” says Gagnon, director of the Défi sportif AlterGo. “I thought it was time to do something. »

On his first call, he reached out to the City of Montreal to formulate a request for hours of ice for the program.

“They offered us the 8pm time slot; “The boys were very happy because they used to play at 5:30 on Sunday mornings,” explains Gagnon.

At first he worked with Parasports Quebec and founded a club with more players in Laval, but after a few years he decided to get in touch Hockey Quebec.

“The general manager at the time was a good friend of mine and I asked him why Hockey Quebec wasn’t devoting resources to parahockey. He replied that he did not know this sport. So we started with him, and Hockey Quebec is now the only provincial organization that fully administers parahockey throughout its territory. »

It’s the 13th^e This season, Gagnon is dedicating his time to this discipline, and there are about 150 para hockey athletes in Quebec. The players play in a league with five teams. Two more will be added next season. In addition to his involvement with Parahockey Montreal, he manages the Quebec provincial team.

Thank you 2022! 🌟 We can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2024! Happy New Year 2023! 🍾 pic.twitter.com/uKEvYyK9sp

— Parahockey Montreal (@parahockeymtl) January 1, 2023

Staff recruitment is one of the main reasons for the growth of this sport in the province. In developing the league schedule, Gagnon seeks to limit scheduling conflicts with other parasport practices to promote multiple sports. The league has also increased its social media presence in recent years.

Gagnon is also in touch with hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Quebec to bring parahockey closer to people who have suffered life-changing accidents.

“Someone who loses a leg and ends up in the hospital or in a rehabilitation center may be the only one in the area who is in that situation,” he says. Visiting other parahockey players who have suffered a similar injury can help a new amputee adjust to their new lifestyle. »

Jonathan Daigle, originally from Boucherville, had his leg amputated. He started playing parahockey at the age of eight.

“My mother looked for an adapted sport that would suit me, knowing that my disability limited my options,” says Daigle. That’s how she discovered parahockey. »

14-year-old Daigle has been playing parahockey for six years. With Gagnon as coach he made tremendous progress. He was part of the Quebec team that won the national title last May.

“He’s totally committed to parahockey,” Daigle says of Gagnon. “He is always busy inviting young people and organizing events to recruit them. And when he sees a youngster’s potential, he does everything he can to ensure its proper development. »

This development at the provincial level has borne fruit. There are eight Quebecers on the Canada national para hockey team this season. Daigle will be training with Team Canada as a participant in the Next Generation Development Camp taking place this weekend in Montreal.

“Ever since I was very young, I’ve dreamed of being part of the national team,” says Daigle. It’s another step towards that dream and I think it will be fun and very rewarding. I will give everything I have. »

Starting today, Team Canada is in town for the Canadian National Development Team Training Camp! 🇨🇦 There are 10 Quebecers in Team Canada! And you can see them in action at Howie-Morenz 😏 pic.twitter.com/5MHWhabA0Y

— Parahockey Montreal (@parahockeymtl) February 16, 2023

For Gagnon, communication is key to promoting sport development in other provinces. This month he hosted his first Zoom conference call with member representatives to share ideas and concerns.

“This year, for the first time, we brought seven provinces together in the national championship,” confirms Gagnon. I have individual interviews with each of my colleagues in the provinces, I invest time and energy because, in my opinion, it is important to do sports, to find an activity.

“I love parahockey and want to contribute to the sport for a long time,” he continues. I don’t do it for the money. I do it with passion. »

While top flight para hockey is booming across the country, Gagnon wants to focus on the women’s division and junior U16 division. For a young man like Daigle, this all bodes well for the future.

“The future is bright,” says Daigle. After our training on Saturday morning, the juniors hit the ice. There are often new players and many at a younger age are putting a lot of effort into the sport.

“I think there will really be more Quebecers in the national team. The talent pool is very rich for the future. »