‘I want to be a role model’: Canada’s Para ice hockey captain McGregor leads with quiet confidence
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Tyler McGregor’s identity has always been rooted in hockey.
One of the most revered Para ice hockey players in the world, he leads with intentionality, hard work and transparency.
A vocal advocate of mental health awareness, McGregor will be leading the Canadian team to battle for gold against the United States at the 2026 Paralympics.
These are McGregor’s fourth Paralympic Games. He previously won two silvers (2018, 2022) and a bronze (2014), and is a three-time world champion.
McGregor’s impactful story was made into a short feature ahead of the Paralympics.
WATCH | Short feature on Para ice hockey captain Tyler McGregor’s journey:
One of the things that it highlighted was McGregor’s ability to go through each period of his life and be able to process the tragedy or the joy of a particular time. He was instrumental in the creation of that piece and tells CBC Sports that he enjoyed the process and said it was shared in “the most authentic way possible.”
McGregor, one of Canada’s opening ceremony flag-bearers, says things were not always joyous.
Hope was replaced by despair, which became part of his journey, and the reason he now leads with humility and gratitude. He counts carrying the Canadian flag as one of the most joyous moments of his life.
For McGregor, there is enormous pride in being Canadian and representing a country he loves. That moment may have not always seemed possible.
Since he was a child in Forest, Ont., the 32-year old captain of Canada’s Para ice hockey team has thrived on the ice. He was put on skates at the age of three and never looked back.
McGregor’s family was full of junior league-level players and he was a gifted talent. But a collision on the ice left him with a fractured tibia and fibula, which later revealed that the 15-year-old had spindle cell sarcoma: bone cancer. The only way to save his life was to amputate his leg.
For the OHL prospect, the news was devastating. In a more crushing event, his amputation surgery was on the day of the 2010 OHL draft.
Beating cancer, then starting again
In a 2024 article, McGregor recalls how the time in the hospital after chemotherapy and post-amputation was extremely tough on him, despite having constant support from his family and teammates. Being so young and having to process a shift in his entire life trajectory was overwhelming.
The Vancouver 2010 Paralympics were happening and watching them was almost cathartic.
Soon after he recuperated from leg amputation surgery and beat the cancer, McGregor was back in his garage training and learning how to play Para hockey — formerly known as Sledge hockey in Canada.
McGregor was able to identify his potential in a new way and his dedication shifted from hockey to Para hockey. His hard work got him noticed and only after a few months of first trying it, he was invited out for a national team camp.
WATCH | Canada captain McGregor says leadership is about authenticity:
Tyler McGregor honoured to lead Para ice hockey team
Para ice hockey team captain Tyler McGregor honoured to lead Team Canada.
But he is not shy about the toll it took on his mental health to battle demons, learn a new sport and grieve the life he envisioned as a child.
McGregor advocates for mental health awareness and speaks publicly to youth across the country. I asked him why that is so important to him.
“I want to be a role model to others,” McGregor told CBC Sports from Milan. “Showing them it’s good to pay attention to mental health and treat it the same way you would physical health, as it has such a big impact on your success as an athlete.”
To have a storied Paralympian speak publicly about mental health and rebuilding oneself emotionally is leading through lived experience and with thoughtful generosity.
‘The cliché’ captain
Billy Bridges played alongside McGregor for three Paralympics and multiple world championships. He sees McGregor’s captaincy skills as being aligned with his drive and dedication.
“He’s the cliché,” Bridges, now retired from ice hockey and serving as a CBC Paralympics commentator and analyst said. “No days off, first one on ice, last guy to leave the gym afterwards.”
Bridges says that McGregor’s leadership is punctuated by his work ethic. And how from day one, despite being such a young player on the national team, he was dedicated to everyone’s success.
“Ever since he joined our team he was always a quiet leader,” Bridges explained.
“He never needed to yell at anyone to inspire. He did that through his work ethic. Right from the get-go his work ethic helped change the game into what it is now. He pushed vets and inspired the young guys by what he puts into everything he does, day in and out.”
McGregor, centre, celebrates a goal with teammates during Canada’s 2026 Paralympics semifinal victory over China. (James Fearn/Getty Images for IPC)
McGregor admits that the pressure from a tournament of this magnitude is gruelling, but credits a strong staff with managing training camp and during the Paralympics to ensure the players are healthy.
“The tournament is fast-paced, featuring back-to-back games,” he said.
“Staying on top of my recovery is super important. I think having all my family here in Italy is also huge for my mental health — having such a great support system with me in person will be huge to keep me going.”
The last time the team had community and family with them was eight years ago, so, understandably, the 2022 Paralympics in Beijing were a different experience.
His birthday falls during the Paralympics and this year, after a perfect round-robin stage with three wins, McGregor celebrated turning 32 on March 11 at Lake Como.
Seeking 1st Paralympic gold
The immediate goal is to win what would be McGregor’s first Paralympic gold, and he is looking forward to that intense competition.
“We do end up playing the U.S. a lot throughout tournaments and in finals, so there is definitely a big rivalry there,” McGregor said.
“It’s always fun when we can come out on top against them.”
Canada will take the ice against the United States in the gold-medal game at 11:05 a.m. ET on Sunday.
As he aims for top of the podium, McGregor continues to move the needle in discussions around mental health.
“I think a stigma still surrounds mental health and speaking out about it,” he said.
“But the progression since I started playing for the national team – and the increased conversation around mental health – is amazing. I’m excited to see that it keeps growing.”
While McGregor plays an impressive game that is fast-paced and dynamic, one of the biggest parts of his legacy will be his contributions to the world of hockey beyond the ice.
Recognizing that strong mental health is critical to triumph.
