Hockey officials become immune to jokes about vision impairment over the years, but during the Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament, it’s the officials that are seeing the clearest.

Operating under the International Blind Ice Hockey Federation (IBIHF), the annual tournament was originally spearheaded by GTHL grad Mark DeMontis in 2013. Since then, the tournament has grown to include a diverse range of men and women from all age groups.

“I know a lot of players look forward to this tournament each year, including myself,” said DeMontis, who was diagnosed with an eye condition at the age of 17, causing him to lose central vision in both eyes. “For one weekend players can just put their disability aside and simply just play the greatest game on earth.”

Heading into its fifth year, the tournament has come a long way from its inaugural season. This weekend’s event will see over 80 players from across North America compete across three divisions. The game itself is slightly modified to accommodate vision impairment, including a larger, slower puck that’s designed to make noise. Teams must also complete one pass in the attacking zone before being able to score, allowing the defence and goalie an extra opportunity to track the puck.

“I was amazed at many of the things I saw,” said GTHL official Dan Ricci, who has acted as a referee in the tournament. “The competitiveness was amazing to see. I’m looking forward to seeing the progress the tournament has made this year.”

Matt Morrow, the Executive Director of the Canadian Blind Hockey Association, admits that organizing the tournament doesn’t come without obstacles, however, the end result is always worthwhile.

“After the gold medal was won at the first tournament in 2013 we had players celebrating like NHL Stanley Cup Champions,” explained Morrow. “We had grown athletes with tears in their eyes, it was their Stanley Cup moment – the first time in their life they got to compete in a real hockey tournament and won a medal.”

The fifth annual Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament will run March 24 to 26 at Mattamy Athletic Centre in Downtown Toronto. Admission is free. All games will also be streamed live for free, with professional play-by-play to make the sport accessible to all fans.  For details on how to watch the web broadcast, as well as more information about the sport and the tournament, please visit blindicehockey.com.