WORLD DEAF ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE COMING TO VANCOUVER, CANADA MAY 7-17, 2025
March 19, 2025
Vancouver BC – The Western Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia will serve as the site for the 4th Annual World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships to be held May 7th-17th, 2025. The ten-day event will feature men’s teams from the USA, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary and Kazakhstan. The series is hosted by the country of Canada. The best deaf and hard of hearing hockey players from around the world will compete in a round robin format.
The United States Deaf Hockey team is supported through the American Hearing-Impaired Hockey Association. Their last international competition had seen the team take the silver medal in the 2024 April 11th – April 14th at the International Deaf Hockey Series in Buffalo, NY. The team has battled against Team Canada in the previous international competitions creating a heated rivalry with each country trading off winning the gold. The upcoming World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships are certainly expected to see a rematch of both countries along with other countries bringing their highest level of compete and intensity.
The United States Deaf Hockey team is comprised mostly of players who have attended the AHIHA Annual Stan Mikita Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Many have gone on to play on high school, prep school, junior leagues, D1 and D3 college teams. This year a player was drafted into the NHL. The coveted spots on this U.S. Deaf Ice Hockey Men’s Team has seen top level athletes tryout from across the nation. The team is excited to welcome it’s new and younger players to the roster and continue their high bar of excellence. Prior to leaving for Vancouver, the team will conduct their training camp from May 3 through May 7 in Chicago at the Edge Ice Arena, Bensenville, Illinois.
For over 50 years, AHIHA has advocated and to compete on an international level against others in the world who are deaf and hard of provided an opportunity for deaf hockey athletes hearing. As a self-perpetuating organization, AHIHA provides funding for athletes through private donations, support from the USA Hockey Foundation and programs. For additional information please contact tournament director Steve Smart at steve.smart@ahiha.org.