16-year-old Shawn Odland of Medicine Hat is heading to the Canadian Para Ice Hockey Championship as a member of Team Alberta. (Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

SPORTS

Medicine Hat teenager playing with Team Alberta at Canadian Para Ice Hockey Championship

May 15, 2024 | 5:00 AM

A 16-year-old defenseman from Medicine Hat will be playing for Team Alberta at the Canadian Para Ice Hockey Championship in Port Colborne, Ont.

Shawn Odland has been playing para hockey for seven years since the beginning of the junior program in Medicine Hat.

A neurological disability affects the lower half of Odland’s body makes him unable to skate.

He was able to realize his passion for playing hockey through para hockey.

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Odland is thankful to those who got the local program off the ground, helping give him this opportunity.

“Derek [Whitson] and Tara [Chishom] are a huge one. They have really made a huge impact in my life and obviously teammates and other coaches have really just helped me get where I am today,” Odland said.

Odland enjoys the inclusiveness of para hockey, a sport he enjoys playing with his father and siblings.

“Everybody can play. Doesn’t matter if you’re able bodied or if you have a disability,” Odland said.

“Everybody can play and everybody has fun and we have good times.”

Members of the Canadian Para Ice Hockey team will be competing at the championship.

“It’s a humbling experience to be able to go play with that level of players at such a high level,” Odland said.

Alberta will be playing in the top division against teams from Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.

The championship runs May 16-19.