Dominic Larocque

It was after the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, where Canada won bronze, that Afghanistan war veteran Dominic Larocque decided to switch from the forward position to the goaltending spot.

Since then he has backstopped Canada to gold at the 2017 World Championships and silver at the 2018 Paralympic Games and 2019 and 2021 worlds.

He was named the top goaltender at both the 2019 and 2021 worlds

At Sochi, his first Paralympic Games appearance, Larocque didn’t waste time making his presence felt. He scored two goals in Canada’s tournament-opening win over Sweden and added a goal and an assist the following evening against Norway. 

In 2013, he helped Canada to gold at the world championships.

In 2007, while he was serving in Afghanistan with the Canadian Armed Forces, the armoured vehicle he was travelling in drove over an improvised explosive device (IED). He sustained a broken tibia, fibula, and ankle in the incident, and his injuries meant his left leg had to be amputated above the knee.
He joined the Canadian Army's Royal 22nd Regiment in 2005. His ambition was to join the army's search and rescue unit, but he had to complete a minimum of four years' prior service. In 2007 he was deployed to Afghanistan.

Since his accident he has remained in the service of the Canadian Armed Forces, performing administrative duties, maintenance and repair duties. He was introduced to Para ice hockey through the Soldier On program, designed to help injured or ill military personnel participate in sport, and also help wounded soldiers readjust to their new life.

Larocque excelled at hockey, soccer and football as a kid. He was already familiar with the rules and theory behind Para ice hockey, but had to adjust to the new technique of moving the puck without the aid of his legs. 

A Montreal club organized a sledge hockey clinic in 2010 and Larocque made an immediate impression.

Following the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, he was one of six newcomers to the national Para ice hockey team after catching the attention of Team Canada officials at a camp in Petawawa, Ont.