Brucefield's Jesse McIntyre will don the Maple Leaf this weekend as the 2015 Winter Deaflympics begin in Russia.
The Goderich Flyers forward got on a plane Tuesday as he will be skating for Canada in the men's hockey tournament. This in not his first time representing his country on the international stage. Along with brother Cody, he was a part of the silver medal Canadian team at the World Deaf Hockey Championships in Finland.
Unfortunately Cody is unable to make the trip to Russia. He was named to Canada's roster but in the time since was involved in a car accident in February along with Jesse. Cody's injuries were much worse and will cause him to miss the competition as he recovers.
Another Western Junior C player will join McIntyre in Russia. For Mitchell Hawks goalie Graeme Lauersen it will be the first international event of his career. The native of Embro got involved after backstopping Canada West to the title in the Roy Hysen Cup, a tournament for deaf or hearing impaired players in Canada. He ended his season in Mitchell to get in game shape for the tournament.
In order to play deaf hockey, players have to have 55 decibels or lower of hearing. They are not allowed to to wear a hearing aid on the ice either. Both deaf and regular hockey use the same rules, with strobe lights installed along the boards that light up to replace the referee’s whistle.
The 2015 Winter Deaflympics begin on March 28th in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia
