Billy Bridges looking to represent Canada at 5th Paralympics

He's the youngest player to ever make Canada'snational sledge hockey team, and 19 seasons later Billy Bridges is looking ahead season 20 and hisfifth Paralympicwintergames.

"Nothing is everguaranteedbut it's definitelymy goal to make it my fifthParalympicsin two years, and to bring home another goldmedal," said Bridges during a visit home to Prince Edward Island.

On Thursday,Bridges and national teammate Adam Dixon kicked off the ticket drive for the World Sledge Hockey Challenge to be held in Charlottetown Dec.4-10at the MacLauchlan Arena.

It offereda chance for the Summerside native to spendsome time on the ice in his hometown with his family, who have watched him capture three word championships and a Paralympic gold medal.

"Alot of myfamilywas there, Ithinkwe had just about four or five generations out on the ice at one time and it was pretty cool to see," he said.

From youngest to oldest

At 32 Bridges is one of the older members of the national team now, a squad that is getting younger every year.

"Theaverage when Ijoinedthe team was 45," Bridges remembers of joining the team at14."Sojoining as a young kid then was pretty tough.

"Ourcareershave come from not too many peopleknowing the sport to slowly becoming role modelsacrossCanada."

That means more competition for the chance to play sledge hockey for Canada.

"It forces us internally to fight for spots which is only going tomake the whole team more competitive."

As he prepares for the 2018 games in SouthKorea, Bridges said he wants to see Canada back at the top of the podium.

Until then you'll find Bridges in rinks all over Canada giving anyonewilling to siton a sledge an opportunity totrythe game.

"It's a realopportunity to have to share this sport and the love ofhockeyto anyone and to expose it to anyoneno matter what their disabilityis."

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