Growing para hockey in Quebec

There have been numerous massive adjustments in Matteo Pellizzari’s life over the
previous seven months.

Back in April, the 15-year-old was taking part in for BC Hockey’s provincial para
hockey workforce, with scrimmages twice per week on Wednesdays and Saturday. Now,
he’s understanding every day and travelling throughout the nation for coaching
camps forward of his worldwide debut on the Para Hockey Cup in
Bridgewater, N.S., because the youngest member of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team.

“It’s kind of been a whirlwind, but it’s been really good,” the Vancouver,
B.C., native says.

Pellizzari was born with out his fibulas in each of his legs—a uncommon
situation referred to as bilateral fibular hemimelia. He turned a double-leg
amputee from the knee down when he was one yr previous.

“It’s the only thing I’ve ever really known,” Pellizzarri says about being
an amputee. “I honestly can’t imagine my life any other way.”

There have been many alternatives that Pellizzari has been in a position to pursue
on account of his amputations. He is actively concerned within the War Amps Child
Amputee Program (CHAMPS) and was beforehand featured in a War Amps
business, brochures and on parade floats. As he bought older, he began to
volunteer for CHAMPS to provide again to this system that has given him so
a lot.

“They’ve made all of the distinction in my life. They’ve supplied me with so
many alternatives,” he says. “They pay for all my leisure
prosthetics… they even really paid for my first (para hockey) sled that I
ever bought that was customized made for me.”

The help from CHAMPS opened the door for Pellizzari to attempt taking part in
a number of sports activities. He enjoys volleyball, operating, swimming and {golfing}, however
his true ardour has at all times been para hockey. Pellizzari first bought on the
ice when he was 4 years previous.

“I distinctly bear in mind the primary time I performed. I felt like I used to be going so
quick, it was so superior,” he says. “I fell in love on day one, it was a
love at first sight.”

At first, Pellizzari realized the basics of para hockey with different
youngsters his age. However, it shortly turned evident that he had a pure
expertise for the game, so he moved as much as taking part in with the grownup groups when
he was 9 years previous.

“I began taking part in with 30-year-old, large males that performed for Team B.C. and
I believed that was unbelievable,” the ahead explains. “I used to be awestruck. I
was undoubtedly the worst on the ice.”

With the ceiling raised to set new objectives in para hockey, Pellizzari
continued to enhance and excel within the sport. His expertise additionally began to be
seen by members of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team. Veteran
defenceman Adam Dixon first met Pellizzari on the Cruisers Cup in 2021.

“[Pellizzari] was linked to Greg Westlake, the previous captain and considered one of
my finest mates, and Greg mentioned, ‘Hey, come meet this kid, he’s a reasonably
cool man,’” Dixon says. “Obviously it took numerous dedication to fly in
from B.C. to play in a event in Mississauga for a weekend.”

In April, Pellizzari was invited to his first NextGen Para Hockey
Development Camp in Montreal, the place Dixon served as a mentor for the
individuals.

“That was when I really got to spend a lot of time with him,” Dixon
explains. “Obviously, with him being a double-leg amputee, I believe he’s a
superb participant. He has all of it found out… he’s already one of the best child in
B.C.”

“As quickly as I went to NextGen camp, that basically opened my eyes (to the)
prospects that I’ve within the sport,” Pellizzari provides. “It was actually
thrilling for me. It was so unbelievable seeing how Hockey Canada organizes
these occasions.”

Adam Dixon (left) and Matteo Pellizzari on the 2022 Para Hockey Cup.

One factor that stood out to Dixon was Pellizzari’s willingness to study and
not being afraid to ask questions so as to perceive every bit of
recommendation. Working with Pellizzari additionally reminded Dixon of his expertise
becoming a member of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team when he was 17.

“The those who I had watched on TV—Brad Bowden, Billy Bridges, Greg
Westlake—abruptly went from being my heroes to now my teammates, and
it was so humorous being reminded of that,” he says.

“He was utilizing Greg Westlake’s sticks that Greg had given him, and he had
by no means retaped them as a result of he didn’t need to take off the tape that Greg
had placed on there. I reduce the tape off his sticks and mentioned, ‘Hey, we’re going
to learn to tape our sticks right this moment.’ (It’s) all these little issues that
I bear in mind being younger and being a fan of the game, and I can see that in
him.”

After a formidable exhibiting at NextGen camp, Pellizzari was invited to
choice camp for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team in September.

“Before tryouts occurred, [Pellizzari’s] dad really tracked me down on
Facebook and had me name him, and simply requested for me to look out for him,”
Dixon says. “When he bought there, he didn’t want anybody looking for him.

“He’s so mature. He’s so open to the whole lot. He hasn’t actually performed
high-level hockey in any respect, so the whole lot that we’re giving him, he has to
soak it up and he soaks it up so properly. He understands it and he applies it,
and I believe that’s a reasonably spectacular trait.”

By the tip of choice camp, Pellizzari had earned a spot on the nationwide
workforce roster—a feat that took him utterly abruptly.

“I used to be pondering that is actually cool that they’re even contemplating me for
this,” Pellizzari says. “I used to be tremendous excited simply to play on the highest
degree in Canada, after which abruptly I made the workforce and that was
mind-blowing.”

As the youngest member of Team Canada, Pellizzari says all his veteran
teammates have been welcoming to him and supply him recommendation, however his
reference to Dixon has stood out. Dixon additionally considers Pellizzari to be
considered one of his finest mates on the workforce.

“Adam Dixon, he’s been a mentor proper since NextGen camp. [He’s been] tremendous
useful [as I’ve been] discovering my method to Team Canada,” Pellizzari says. “I
assume that taking part in with all these veterans goes to offer me with a
lot of perception for what I can look ahead to.”

What’s it prefer to stability being a member of Canada’s National Para Hockey
Team whereas in highschool? Well, Pellizzari says he’s nonetheless attempting to
determine that out and takes it at some point at a time. He has labored along with his excessive
college so he can full his exercise necessities for Team Canada as a substitute
of taking a bodily schooling class.

But as Dixon found, the younger ahead has the work ethic wanted to
sustain at school and sustain in his para hockey coaching.

“I used to be his roommate [at the] final [training] camp, and the child, all he did
was homework. He’s so accountable,” Dixon says. “For [my] first yr, I
would pack all my textbooks from highschool, put them in my backpack and
fly round with them, and they might keep in my backpack. I’d by no means open
them.”

The 2022 Para Hockey Cup will probably be Pellizzari’s worldwide debut with Team
Canada, and he could have an enormous group of followers cheering him on. His household
will probably be travelling throughout the nation to Bridgewater, N.S., to see him put on
the Maple Leaf for the primary time.

“Without my household and my mates, I believe that I undoubtedly wouldn’t be
the place I’m right this moment. They’ve made all of the distinction,” he says. “They’ve
actually set me up for fulfillment and so they’ve been tremendous encouraging for me.”

Looking to the long run, Pellizzari hopes his expertise with Team Canada
will give him the chance to proceed to develop the sport in his residence
province and throughout the nation. As considered one of a number of new gamers to Canada’s
National Para Hockey Team, he’s trying ahead to rising as a participant
along with his teammates over the subsequent 4 years.

“This is admittedly particular as a result of there’s so many younger gamers and we’re
constructing Team Canada this yr for the subsequent Paralympics. We’re beginning
from the start, and I’m actually excited to be part of that.”