Para Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Czechia

When Rod Crane obtained phrase that he made Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, he knew his life would change. He simply wasn’t positive how.

The Clarksburg, Ont., native knew his hockey profession was about to take off, however when he stop his job to focus full-time on coaching for the nationwide staff in 2018-19, he discovered an abundance of time in his calendar. After mulling over numerous concepts, his mom, Christine, talked about the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie & District.

“I had been looking for a volunteer gig to help me pass the time and keep busy, and she was the one who first brought it up,” says Crane, who received a silver medal on the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. “She thought it would be a good fit, so I looked into it and got matched with a great family.”

For greater than a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been championing the well being and well-being of youth, guaranteeing kids are supported by caring adults — serving to them bodily, mentally, socially, emotionally and academically. This yr alone, the group has impacted over 41,000 youth in over 1,100 communities throughout Canada.

After going via the appliance course of, Crane was matched with a fifth-grader named Sandro, and the 2 grew to become quick pals.

“He’s such a funny kid,” says Crane, a defenceman who started his para hockey profession in 2014 with the Elmvale Bears. “Sandro is so smart, very driven, enjoys school, speaks three languages and is just a happy-go-lucky kid. He’s not as much into sports, but he’s into movies, Lego and things like that; he’s a blast to be around.”

As a part of this system, Crane and Sandro get collectively a few occasions a month, and their interactions could be as aggressive as going bowling or so simple as simply grabbing a chunk to eat.

“It’s nice to have Rod in my life,” says Sandro. “I look up to him, he’s a great guy. We text back and forth and go do things together. It’s pretty cool to be friends.”

Considering he went into this journey with none prior information, Crane is proud of the best way the connection has developed.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into. My only idea of Big Brothers [Big] Sisters came from an episode of The Simpsons,” says Crane with a chuckle. “Not only is it nice to give back to the community, but I love watching him grow. He has really come out of his shell and become his own individual.”

Three years on and regardless of not being a lot of a sports activities fan, Sandro and Crane have grow to be quick pals. Sandro, who’s now in Grade 8, has taken a liking to the National Para Hockey Team, following it wherever it goes, together with watching the 2022 Paralympics in Beijing.

“Knowing someone on the ice is a cool feeling,” Sandro added. “I’ve gone to watch Rod live a few times and now that I know what it is, I think para hockey is super entertaining. After games, I try and text him and congratulate him, but I make sure I don’t critique him too hard.”

Although it’s simply an organizational title, Crane feels the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is similar to having your personal siblings.

“[Sandro] knows I’m here to talk and for him when he needs it,” says Crane. “He’s in Grade 8 and just learning how to communicate, so sometimes he takes advantage of that opportunity to open up, but other times it’s as simple as just a check-in text message where he asks if I’m good and vice versa. I take a lot of pride in being there for him, and I think it gives his mom some peace of mind as a single parent that he has a strong male influence in his life.”

Sandro will quickly have one other main event to maintain tabs on as Crane and his Canadian teammates are getting ready to host the World Para Hockey Championship starting May 31 in Moose Jaw, Sask.

“I’ve made a friend for life,” provides Crane. He is aware of I’m right here to assist him in no matter he is doing, and I do know I’ve a fan at house cheering for me.”