‘Life always presents challenges’: Team Canada para hockey captain on facing adversity ahead of Para Cup

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Since he was a young boy, Tyler McGregor has been determined to play hockey, whether he was able bodied or not.

Team Canada’s para ice hockey captain stopped by the Moose Media studios on March 5th to chat while promoting the 2025 Para Cup taking place in Dawson Creek later this year.

“Life for everyone always presents challenges,” said McGregor. “I think it’s important to have the perspective [that] often in those difficult moments if you’re [open and] willing to accept and learn from them, you can have some of the most beautiful experiences of life.”

The Forest, Ontario native “fell in love” with the game as a three-year-old, playing it throughout his childhood and into his teenage years.

But a mass grew in McGregor’s right leg after he broke it during a game in his teens.  McGregor said it continued to grow over the course of “a few months.”

Just as he was to be cleared for contact, a diagnosis came: spindle cell sarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

According to 2021 statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society, soft tissue and bone cancers are diagnosed in a combined 11 per cent of children aged 14 and under. 

Eight months of chemotherapy and treatment followed, which led to his right leg being amputated.  After trying to skate with an amputee team, McGregor discovered para ice hockey. 

He called it an “easy decision” to begin playing again, altthough his first time in a sled was difficult.

“It was a humbling experience for sure,” said McGregor. “But I was excited for the challenge ahead.”

Having been the team captain for the past six years, the 30-year-old has had an illustrious career with the Canadian squad.  

McGregor has three gold medals from world championship competitions, including last year in Calgary.  He also won three medals in the Paralympic Games, including a silver at the last Winter Paralympic Games in 2022 in China.

The four-nation Para Cup will feature the top four teams in the world. The rankings will be finalized after the world championships, scheduled for this May in Buffalo, New York.

“The competition will be amazing,” said McGregor. “Hopefully we can leave here with the gold medal.”

The Para Cup will take place from November 30th to December 6th, 2025  More information is available on Hockey Canada’s website.