On a sledge or on skates, hockey always rallies everyone in Quebec. And there was a lot of atmosphere in Aréna Michel-Normandin where the sledge hockey tournament is presented as the only winter sport on the programme of the 26th Défi sportif.
A winning addition believes Maxime Gagnon, operations manager at the Défi sportif and coach of the Repentigny Dragons. “I think that it is one of the first sports where we have such a crowd in the stands. As organizer, I think it is a beautiful sight. People are fans.”
Gagnon is a recent convert to sledge hockey. Wishing to learn about the sport, he accompanied the Dragons to a tournament in Ontario and proposed himself as their coach. “It keeps me busy during the Défi sportif”, he laughs. He has to manage the energy level of his players. “They are old”, he says, pulling no punches. “You can tell that we need relief forces in Quebec.”
The Défi sportif could be the catalyst, Jacques Fournier believes. “I have been playing sledge hockey for 18 years and it is the first time I have the opportunity to play in a tournament in Montréal. I sincerely hope that hockey will stay with the Défi sportif. With this event, I think things will start moving the right way.”
And another way to give the sport exposure is to broadcast the finals on the web at defisportif.com. The B division final will be webcast at 9:45 AM and the A group game at 12:30 PM. The Défi sportif also wants to broadcast the amputee athletes’ demonstration game since Montréal will host the World Championship next year. “We are putting it on the web worldwide so that the other countries can see what it is and so they can notice the quality of the organization”, says Maxime Gagnon who now puts on his salesman hat! “I really want to raise the quality of the tournament with, among others, giant screens and activities.”
If it is a rendezvous for amputees worldwide in 2010, for the Dragons, victory in their Saturday night match is a must, if they hope to be internet stars!
Written by Sportcom