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Érik Desjardins
Érik Desjardins’ Comeback
After a four-year break, Érik Desjardins is reconnecting with his passion, sledge hockey. For the second time in his career, he is embarking on a journey to the summit of his sport. The journey is a bit more difficult at 30 in a constantly evolving sport.
Éric Desjardins set one clear goal for himself: he wants to come back on the national team. During his first life as an athlete, this hockey player had some wonderful opportunities to shine on the Canadian team. He took part in the 2000 World Championships in Salt Lake City, in the Paralympics in the same town in 2002 and in the 2004 World Championships in Sweden. He was also a substitute player on the gold-medal team in the 2006 Turin Paralympics.
Despite his success, Érik decided to put away his sport for a while. Why did he take such a difficult decision? It’s hard to work full time and train on the national team. Athletes need to devote much time to their sport, and not all employers are willing to give two months off per year for training and competition,
explained Érik Desjardins. I really enjoy my sport, but one of these days I will have to move on to other ventures. That’s why I had to think about my future and make job-hunting my priority.
So Érik Desjardins found the job he was looking for. For the past four years, he has been working with Purolator Courier, which used to sponsor the Paralympics. In the course of these years, he really missed sledge hockey, a sport he has been playing since his childhood. He also missed being an athlete and competing. Competition has allowed me to experience unforgettable moments. I wanted to have another chance at it.
Érik’s employer helped him come back to competition. He is very understanding and he respects that I have responsibilities as an athlete. He knows that life is not made up of work only and that this sport is essential to me in order to feel complete and develop. He supports me in reaching my goals,
mentioned Érik Desjardins.
A challenging comeback
Nowadays, Érik Desjardins plays in the Intermédiaire A league and is on Montreal’s Transat team. He is getting back in shape for the next national team selection. He is happy with his recent progress. He is fortunate enough to have chosen a sport in which athletes can perform over many years, even if sledge hockey has changed quite a bit while he was away.
TV broadcasting of the last Paralympics helped a lot in promoting the sport. Many young people came to sledge hockey and the game has become faster and more competitive. Veterans must keep up with the game. Overall, it was very good for our sport,
noted Érik.
He will not let the additional challenge stop him. He has experience and maturity, qualities not all young players possess. I think I have become a better player with time. I collaborate better with my teammates and I can better control my temper!
admitted the player.
On the eve of taking part again in Défi sportif where sledge hockey competitions have been presented for only two years, Érik Desjardins is anxious. It is an international event where we will have the opportunity to face the World’s top athletes. It will increase visibility for our sport and, since it is happening in Montreal, our parents and friends will be able to come and cheer for us,
related the athlete who has a lot of hope for his team. We are coming to the Défi sportif with an eye on victory and gold!
Access Érik Desjardins' technical record
