It’s one of the fastest team sports in the world, played by athletes with 10 per cent vision or less.
It’s blind hockey.
The 2026 Eastern Regional tournament is being held for the first time in New Brunswick.
Moncton SeeCats President and Player Simon Richard says they have around 12 players, and there is also a club in Halifax that is called the SeeKings.
Richard added that there are also a few players from PEI and one from Newfoundland.
They come together three or four times a year to compete in big tournaments like the one being held in Moncton this weekend.
Richard said the rules of blind hockey are very similar to traditional hockey, but some of the differences include the puck, which is around three times bigger.
“It’s about five inches in diameter and a few inches taller as well. So it’s a bit bigger. It’s made out of metal, and there are also some ball bearings inside it. So when the puck is moving, it’s kind of a rattling metal sound. So players can hear it on the ice, which is the biggest adaptation to the game,” Richard said.
Some players have 10 per cent vision, while others have none at all.
Goalies are totally blind or have just one per cent of their vision. If they do have any vision, they are blindfolded.
The helmet colour also helps to identify the level of visual impairment the players have. Those with zero to one per cent have a red helmet, players with between one and five per cent wear a white helmet, and above that, they wear a black helmet.
The nets are also a foot shorter and stand around three feet tall. All of the other equipment is the same, including the sticks and skates.
They’ve partnered with Hockey Day in Canada this weekend.
“We always wanted to host a tournament in Moncton, and obviously, with Hockey Day in Canada coming, we thought, what a great opportunity to highlight our sport,” Richard said.
The three games will be played from 10 am to noon on Friday, January 16, Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18 at the Moncton Coliseum.
If you are visually impaired and interested in playing or learning more about blind hockey, visit their website.
Richard says anyone with a visual impairment who loves the game or who wants to learn more about it is welcome.
