The 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship will take place May 4-12, 2024, at the WinSport Arena in Calgary, Alberta. Scroll for an inside look at the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team as they compete for an unprecedented fourth-consecutive and seventh overall gold medal.
Saturday, May 11 | Last Practice
The U.S. National Sled Team took the ice for its final practice of the season ahead of tomorrow’s (May 12) gold-medal game against Canada at the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship.
The players had some laughs naming their celebrity look-alikes before heading back to the hotel. Some players got some quick walks in around downtown, enjoying the nice weather before dinner. After the team meal, which consisted of rice bowls with meat and vegetables, the players got some rest in ahead of tomorrow’s big tilt.
Puck drop for tomorrow’s gold-medal game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MT. The game will live stream here.
Friday, May 10 | Ticket Punched
CALGARY, Alberta – Malik Jones (Aurora, Colo.) tallied the go-ahead goal with 7:01 remaining in the game as the U.S. National Sled Team topped Czechia, 3-1, in the semifinals of the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship at WinSport Arena.
With the win, the U.S. advances to its ninth-consecutive gold medal game. The U.S. will face the winner of Friday’s second semifinal game between Canada and China. Puck drop for Sunday’s gold medal game is set for 5:30 p.m. MT and will be live streamed on the NBC Sports YouTube channel.
“It was a challenging environment for us today, we struggled to finish a few chances and weren’t able to get any cushion early,” said David Hoff, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “But I thought that we were in such a tough environment in the third and we were able to finish and pull through, I think it showed a lot of character from our guys.”
For a full game recap, click HERE.
Thursday, May 9 | Team Building
The U.S. National Sled Team took the ice for practice early Thursday morning at WinSport Arena after an off day, with a semifinal matchup against Czechia on the horizon tomorrow. After practice, the team named their celebrity look-alikes and made some NHL playoff predictions before heading back to the hotel.
After lunch, the players hung out around the hotel and rested up ahead of tomorrow’s game. A group gathered in the lobby and had some fun getting to know Chinese player Shen YiFeng before heading to dinner. The team played a team-building activity after the meal, where head coach David Hoff eliminated players one by one through ha number-drawing game, receiving gag gifts and sharing lots of laughs each time they were eliminated.
Tomorrow’s game against Czechia will live stream on the NBC Sports YouTube channel.
Wednesday, May 8 | Day Trip to Banff
The U.S. National Sled Team ventured out to the town of Banff, about 1.5 hours outside of Calgary, on Wednesday afternoon. The team enjoyed beautiful views of the mountains that surround the town while they walked around, checking out the different shops and restaurants that lined the streets.
A couple players had family members join them in Banff, getting some quality time in before the final stretch of games and practices in Calgary. Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) did a cold plunge in a nearby river, a tradition for him at each event the last few seasons, and a few players found their way to a gondola to take in the scenery of Banff National Park from above.
What’s your nickname? Bolty.
How did you pick your jersey number? 10 was given to me when I made the team.
Do you have a pregame ritual? I like to cold plunge.
What’s your go-to coffee order? Cappuccino or vanilla latte.
What’s the most embarrassing song on your playlist? Wait a Minute by Willow Smith.
Who’s your celebrity look alike? Russell from the movie "Up"
What’s your favorite memory from this season? Scoring against Canada at the IPH Cup.
Q&A | Brett Bolton
Tuesday, May 7 | 200 for Spuds
CALGARY, Alberta – Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) posted seven points, including his third-straight hat trick, to help the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team to a 10-0 victory over China here today in its final preliminary-round game of the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship at WinSport Arena. Captain Josh Pauls(Green Brook, N.J.) added four points (1g, 3a) in his 200th career game in the victory as well.
With the win, the U.S. claimed the top seed in Group A and earned a quarterfinal bye. The semifinals will be played Friday, with Team USA’s opponent and game time to be determined.
“I really liked our effort today, especially to start that second period,” said David Hoff, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Team. “I’m proud of how we are trending upwards as the tournament goes on.”
For a full game recap, click HERE.
Monday, May 6 | Rest and Relaxation
With a full off day away from the rink on Monday, the U.S. National Sled Team took advantage. Captain Josh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) enjoyed a dip in the pool, while some of his teammates took to the streets of Calgary to explore before rain rolled in later in the afternoon. The players went to several local restaurants for a dinner ahead of tomorrow’s final preliminary round contest against China at 1:30 p.m. MT.
Q&A | Malik Jones
What’s your nickname? The Wizard or Smitty J.
How did you pick your jersey number? 19 was my practice number for my first National Team camp so I just stuck with it.
Do you have a pregame ritual? I listen to a motivational speech.
What’s your go-to coffee order? White chocolate mocha.
Who’s your celebrity look alike? Ryan Reaves.
What’s your favorite memory from this season? Going to Czechia.
Sunday, May 5 | On a Roll
CALGARY, Alberta – Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) notched a hat trick and added two assists, setting new U.S. records for single-season goals (33) and points (52), to help lift the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team to an 11-0 shutout over Korea in its second preliminary round game at the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship.
“We really moved the puck well today,” said David Hoff, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “We finished our chances well today too, especially with the way we got out to that strong start in the second period.”
For the full game recap, click HERE
Pregame Pickleball
The team has developed a new pregame warmup routine, as several players gathered around their homemade pickleball court again on Sunday to get a couple games in. Declan Farmer partnered up with a Japanese player and took on two of his teammates in a game of doubles. Meanwhile, Brody Roybal (Northlake, Ill.) struggled to get the hang of it, sending several balls into the ceiling or the net while getting shut out by Travis Dodson (Deming, N.M.).
Saturday, May 4 | Firing on All Cylinders in Tournament Opener
CALGARY, Alberta – Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) scored four goals and Malik Jones (Aurora, Colo.) collected six assists as the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team skated to a 10-0 victory over Slovakia here today in the opening game of the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship at WinSport Arena.
“It was a strong start to the tournament,” said David Hoff, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Team. “We moved the puck well and were able to get a lot of players involved.”
For the full game recap, click here.
Friday, May 3 | Media Day
Following morning practice at WinSport Arena, dynamic goaltending duo Jen Lee (San Francisco, Calif.) and Griffin LaMarre (Haverhill, Mass.) represented the team at 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship media day. Lee’s much lauded eating skills were put to the test as the two netminders enjoyed a series of Canadian snacks, from ketchup chips to Timbits. They also dressed up as Canadian Mounties, and showed off their tight roommate bond by posting a perfect score in a trivia game about each other.
While the goalies slightly over-indulged on donuts and maple syrup, some of their teammates built a makeshift pickleball court outside of the locker room at the arena and got a few games in before heading back to the hotel.
The team took another afternoon to check out some local coffee shops and get some rest in before its tournament-opening game against Slovakia. A full tournament schedule, along with broadcast information, is available here.
Dave the Dog: Birthday Boy
The team celebrated David "The Dog" Eustace's 25th birthday on Friday with a surprise cupcake and group rendition of "Happy Birthday" after dinner, before tuning into Stanley Cup Playoffs action back at the hotel.
Q+A | Griffin LaMarre
What’s your nickname? Griff. Or I guess we could go Fen.
How did you pick your jersey number? 29 was a standard goalie number but not one as common as the others.
Do you have a pregame ritual? Just my typical warm up.
What’s your go-to coffee order? Black cold brew.
What’s the most embarrassing song on your playlist? 7 Things by Miley Cyrus.
Who’s your celebrity look alike? When I was in high school and this jawline was a lot better, I looked like a young Joaquin Phoenix.
What’s your favorite memory from this season? Walking around the streets of Krakow, Poland, with my boys Jenner and Brody.
Thursday, May 2 | Arrival in the Stampede City
After players and staff arrived in Calgary and got settled in yesterday (May 1), the U.S. National Sled Team gathered as a group for the first time in Calgary at breakfast on Thursday (May 2) to kick off its chase for an unprecedented fourth-consecutive, and seventh overall, gold medal at the World Para Ice Hockey Championship.
PICTURE DAY
Following breakfast, the U.S. headed over to WinSport Arena for practice. Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) enjoyed the locker room decor prepared by equipment manager Tim Leroy, as the squad donned game jerseys for a team photo prior to practice.
The players took some time to explore the city of Calgary after practice, taking advantage of the downtown hotel location by checking out some local coffee and food spots.
The team also made some predictions for the Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Playoffs series. Following dinner, the squad tuned into game six of the series back at the hotel.
Q&A | David Eustace
Throughout the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship, the daily Insider will allow you to get to know a few members of Team USA a little bit better with a Q&A. First up is forward David Eustace (Stoneham, Mass.).
What’s your nickname? Some people me The Dog, Dave the Dog possibly
How did you pick your jersey number? I wanted 23 when I made the team but Rico Roman had it, so I went with 37 because Patrice Bergeron was my favorite player.
Do you have a pregame ritual? I just do a lot of stretching and listen to a lot of music. Sometimes I’ll throw a tennis ball of the wall.
What’s your go-to coffee order? It depends. Sometimes I’ll go black coffee, straight up, has to be cold though. Sometimes I’ll go latte, oat milk, hazelnut.
What’s the most embarrassing song on your playlist? You’ll have to get back to me on that.
Who’s your celebrity look alike? One of my friends’ dad told me I look like Domantas Sabonis from the Sacramento Kings.
What’s your favorite memory from this season? We had some good games in Minot, I really enjoyed playing against the Canadians, and we had a great crowd, best American crowd I’ve seen.
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