Sudbury woman makes history with the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team

A Sudbury woman is making history after being selected to play on the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team. The team is currently in Fort Wayne, Ind. to compete against team USA in the third National Blind Hockey Series.

Officials with the team said it’s very similar to the traditional hockey that most have grown up with, but added that there are a few differences.

“The biggest adaptation is our puck,” said Luca DeMontis, coach and general manager of the team.

“Our puck is about three and a half times the size of a traditional hockey puck and inside the puck it has eight ball bearings. The puck is made of steel, so as the ball bearings travel around the puck, it makes a noise which allows players on the ice to track it and find it.”

Another difference from traditional hockey is the nets, in blind hockey they are only three feet high where traditional nets are four feet in height.

This year, there is a new addition to the team, Amanda Provan.Sudbury’s Amanda Provan is making history after being the first woman selected to play on the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team. (Supplied)She was born and raised in Sudbury and is making history as the first woman to be selected to play on the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team.

“Honestly, it’s a dream come true. My goal was to first of all just to be invited to the National team selection camp, and I guess my dream was to make the team and I was able to realize that this year,” said Provan.

“So, I’m just really happy to be here and really excited to get on the ice with my teammates.”

Her coaches told CTV News she has been a great addition to the team.

“Her passion and her drive is what makes her who she is,” said DeMontis.

“I love it when she doesn’t let the boys push her around, she’s right there and she pushes them back. She’s incredibly talented, a lot of skill, and she’s worked extremely hard to get to where she is today.”

Provan has been legally blind since she was born but said she has always had a love for hockey. She started playing the sport at the age of 12.

In 2017, she was introduced to blind hockey.

“My Mom found a post on Facebook and we were interested, obviously because I was excited there was an adapted version of hockey because I have such a passion for it and just a love for the game,” said Provan.

“We saw the post and saw that the Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament was happening in Toronto. So, we decided to pack up and head down there to check it out and I participated in one of their hockey events.”

The team won their first game Friday evening, 7-1.

There are two more games on the series on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

All games will be broadcast live on the team's YouTube channel.