Quesnel resident James Gemmell, a defenceman with Team Canada’s Para Hockey team, took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to the Quesnel Observer last week, during the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Games.
The 37-year-old, who had his right leg amputated above the knee after an automobile accident in 2004, began playing sledge hockey in 2006 with the Surrey Eagles.
James isn’t a stranger to being on the world stage when it comes it comes to sledge hockey.
He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2013 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships in Goyang, Korea, and a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia.
James talked to the Observer the morning after he and his teammates knocked off Norway 8-0 to earn a berth in the semifinals.
Speaking from PyeongChang, South Korea, James said everything is going good.
“I have no complaints.”
He said it’s always an “amazing experience” to be in the Paralympics and the Worlds.
“I’m trying to treat this like any other tournament I go in. I’m trying not to get caught up in the distractions and all the stuff that comes along.
“I’m trying to treat it like it is any other tournament at home and just focus on the goal and the task of what we’re here for.”
It was a practice day for the team, and they knew they would be going up against South Korea in the semifinals.
James said the facilities are good and the organizers have provided everything they need, so it’s one last thing they have to worry about.
Regarding some of Olympians having trouble with the time change a few weeks ago, James said that wasn’t the case for the sledge hockey team because they had a four-day pre-camp in Korea before the Paralympics.
“We had four days of practice before we came to the Village. We were prepared for the time change, so we were well-adapted before we had our first games.
James noted the team has been staying in the Village, going to the rink for practices and games and focusing on what they have to do.
They did have a dinner with family members of some of his teammates, but that was it as far as socializing in South Korea.
James is 37 years old and the oldest member of the squad.
Asked if he had a different role this time around, James said he’s “pretty much playing the same role.”
“I’m getting to play a little bit of forward as well, so that’s a positive sign.
“But what it comes down to is whatever I have to do to help the team – it’s about the team and winning in the end.”
He said they are only looking forward to the next game and not too far ahead.
“Our focus is always on the next game were going to play and what we need to do for that game.”
James says the team doesn’t change its game plan for each team they play.
“We always prepare the same way for every team and we play the same style against every team.
“It’s just one of those things where you don’t want to start changing things up. You just want to kind of play your style and do what needs to be done.”
James adds it’s a style they’ve always practiced. It’s the way we play add we can’t change up for other teams.
However, he notes the game has changed.
“Over the years, the speed and agility has picked up a lot.
“The difference since I started and now – it a faster, much more physical, high-paced game.
“All of the athletes are working harder to be better, stronger and faster. Our team and all the other teams around the world are improving quickly.”
James said they are always pushing the offensive side of the game.
“If you’re not scoring goals, you’re not winning games.”
James adds he’s very thankful for all of the support from family and friends, but also from people throughout the Cariboo.
“I really want to thank everyone for all of their support. It means a lot.”