Curt Minard, and his Team Canada amputee team won gold at the ISIHF World Championships. The tournament was held in Finland from May 2 to 5. "This was one of the most unbelievable experiences that I have ever had," said Minard.
Curt Minard, and his Team Canada amputee team won gold at the ISIHF World Championships. The tournament was held in Finland from May 2 to 5.
"This was one of the most unbelievable experiences that I have ever had," said Minard. "Something that I will never forget is standing on the blue line with my amazing team, singing the national anthem wearing the gold medals."
Curt chuckled as he remembered that he was actually in the penalty box during the final moments of the gold-medal game. "That is where I was celebrating, along with our captain who was also in the penalty box."
Team Canada defeated Latvia 16-4 in the opening game of the 2012 ISIHF World Amputee Hockey Championships. The defending world champs built a 4-0 lead by the end of the first period and added six goals in both the second and the third periods.
During game two, Team Canada won 7-3 over Finland. Canada led 3-0 at the end of the first period, and extended the lead to 6-1 by the end of the second.
Facing the United States in their final game of the round robin, Team Canada outshot the U.S. 44-9 to earn a 6-1 victory.
In the gold medal match, Team Canada won its sixth consecutive gold medals by defeating Finland 6-3.
Minard played in all four games with his team. He had two assists during the tournament.
"All the games were battles, every team had their good players and the competition was hard," said Minard. "We had a supportive team, we all pulled together and bonded."
"Curt Minard contacted us last fall and was anxious to get involved, so once we heard he was a Weyburn local we invited him to our National Team Selection Camp in Toronto this past January," said Donald Wade, chair of the Canadian Amputee Hockey Committee (CAHC).
"Curt worked hard at that camp and earned an invitation to the next selection camp in Georgetown last March, where the finals cuts were made to the amputees," added Wade. "In Finland, Curt competed well every shift and our games were battles. He's a great hockey player, a great guy and we are all proud to be his teammate."
"It was a great experience," said Minard. "We had an unbelievable group of guys and coaching staff. I can't say enough of the experience but my highlight was receiving my Team Canada jersey."
"Looking back, considering the fact that I went from not thinking that I would ever play hockey again, to seeing my name on the back of a Team Canada jersey, I am so grateful."
"Finland put on a real classy event for all the teams," said Minard. "We had a good section of fans (for our games), but Finland had a lot of support in the stands for the final game."
Minard attributed a lot of his success during the tournament to his trainers, who worked with him beforehand and helped him with both his strengths and weaknesses. He worked with Dean McAmmond, a former National Hockey League player, and Ryan Robertson, with the University of Toronto.
Curt's number one fan during the World championship was his wife, Danielle, who sat in the stands wearing a Team Canada jersey and taking pictures. Their sons, Maddex and Hunter, stayed in B.C. during the tournament, but both the boys were excited to see the gold medal.
