James Gemmell and the sledge hockey Team Canada have their eyes set no lower than the gold medal in the upcoming World Championships in Hamar, Norway.
“We’re going to prove we’re the best in the world again,” Gemmell, a Quesnel local, said.
The last time the national team played at the Vancouver Paralympics, they came in fourth after losing to Japan, then Norway.
“Being Team Canada, fourth isn’t good enough,” Gemmell said.
But Gemmell wasn’t on that team. This will be his first time suiting up on the world stage.
“It’s gonna be a big one,” Gemmell said.
“It’s the biggest stage I’ve been on for sure.”
It’s a dream come true for Gemmell, to put on the red and white and skate for his country.
“You grow up and you dream of being in the NHL, which is a step below Team Canada,” he said.
“Having the opportunity to put on the jersey, it’s a pretty big deal.”
Gemmell plans to use this championship to gain international experience and chase away the high pressure jitters to prepare him for the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia.
“I’m going to learn from this and learn to play in a high-pressure situation.”
Gemmell admitted he’s a little worried about his ability to keep calm on the ice.
“I guess that’s what I’m most nervous about – being nervous.”
With all those dreams on the line, both personally and nationally, the pressure can be a lot to bear. It’s in those moments when the jitters move from his head to his hands that Gemmell says he misses simple plays and easy passes. But he’s been working hard, and he’s confident he’ll handle the pressure.
“I’m sure I’ll be able to calm myself and make it happen.”
He got some practice on keeping calm during a three-game series with Team USA where Team Canada took two out of the three games, losing only the first game of the series, and that in a shoot-out.
“We got better and better and put a little doubt in their minds,” Gemmell said.
That doubt in the American team’s heads sends Canada into the Worlds with confidence, as Team USA is the one to beat according to Gemmell.
“For us (the team to beat) would be U.S.A., but we’ve proven that we can beat them,” he said.
Off that high Gemmell is expecting nothing less than gold.
“You definitely can’t go into the world championship not expecting to win and we’ve prepared for it pretty well.”
But before all the Championships and that excitement, Team Canada is off to the Canadian Forces base in Borden for a clinic with some of the soldiers who have been injured overseas. Gemmell hopes all that discipline will help Team Canada out before Worlds.
“We’ll be pushed by the work ethic of the soldiers,” he said.
Then it’s on to Worlds and from
there he’s got his sights set even
higher.
“I’ve got a goal set for myself – to compete in the 2014 Paralympics.”
Which means a summer of training and hard work, instead of relaxation and beer on the lake. But the payoff for that work, a run at the coveted gold medal is much bigger than boats and beer.
However, that’s all in the future, and Gemmell has enough on his plate right now. The Worlds needs all his
attention.
“I’m just gonna focus on one thing at a time.”