Team Canada’s Zach Savage can add another gold medal to his ever-growing collection.
Savage, 17, and his teammates competed at the 2017 International Para Hockey Tournament in Turin, Italy Feb. 27 to March 4, defeating Norway 8-1 in the final to win the gold.
“Zach played well, he had lots of speed and showed good game-sense. I think he learned a lot,” said head coach Ken Babey. “We think he’s only going to get better and have strong future for us. He’s a positive team player both on and off the ice.”
Savage had an assist during a round-robin game against Norway, which Canada won 9-1. He played in three out five matches at the four-team tournament.
“It was kind of a wipe-out,” said Savage. “It feels good to win a championship, something to brag about.”
There will be no rest for the young athlete as Team Canada is off to Gangneung, South Korea next week for the IPC World Para Hockey Championship April 11-20.
“We’ll meet up in Korea to get ready for the world championships,” said Babey.
“Every country in the world is going to bring their ‘A’ game. Also, the Americans and some other high end teams are going to be there, so that’s going to bump up the competition.”
Babey said they’ll have their work cut out for it, playing seven games in nine nights.
“It’s going to be a bit of a marathon,” he added.
The step-up in competitiveness is more of welcome challenge than an obstacle for Savage.
“Every country is going to be gunning for the gold medal,” he said. “We know what it’s going to take to win and I think we’re ready for it.”
Savage, who has been playing sledge hockey since he was five years old, was named to Team Canada in 2016, outpacing 11 other hopefuls to join the elite squad. He was first spotted at a prospect’s camp in Toronto in 2015.
Sledge hockey is a highly physical variety of the game designed for players with disabilities who are unable to skate normally. Instead, players ride a small sled and propel themselves across the ice using their arms.
The IPC World Para Hockey Championship will be broadcast live on both the Hockey Canada and the IPC websites, so fans will be able to watch Savage’s adventures in Korea first hand.
