Veteran Kevin Rempel announces retirement from sledge hockey

CALGARY – Veteran Canadian sledge hockey player Kevin Rempel is retiring after nearly a decade in the sport.

The Vineland, Ont., native leaves the game with a Paralympic bronze medal and a world championship gold in his collection.

In 79 games, he recorded 30 goals and 34 assists.

The 34-year-old recently released his autobiography “Still Standing,” which chronicled his debilitating injury, family tragedy and realizing his dream of playing for his country at the Sochi Paralympics.

In 2006, Rempel crashed his motocross bike while attempting to jump between two ramps. He suffered a broken back, fractured pelvis and fractured ribs. Doctors told him he would never walk again.

Following months of recovery and rehabilitation, Rempel started to slowly walk and one year after his accident, he was back on a dirt bike.

But less than two weeks later, tragedy struck again when his father committed suicide.

“Sledge hockey gave me an opportunity to help rebuild my life, and I am forever grateful for that,”Rempel said in a release Friday. “I absolutely love this sport. Not only was it an honour to play for Canada, I’m proud to have made so many great friends in the disabled community.”

Rempel said he will continue to help grow the sport through the Sledge Hockey Experience, a program designed to educate people about disabilities, diversity, and inclusion.

“Sledge hockey eliminates all barriers, so everyone can play,” said Rempel of the initiative.

Rempel won Paralympic bronze in Sochi and a world title in 2013.