Sports
Adam Dixon Makes History as Canada Advances to Semifinals at World Para Ice Hockey Championship
From childhood cancer survivor to para hockey icon, Dixon becomes Canada’s games-played leader while helping secure a perfect pool-stage finish.
Adam Dixon’s journey from fighting bone cancer at age 10 to breaking records for Team Canada reached an emotional and historic milestone at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championship. On Saturday, Dixon became the most-capped player in Canadian para hockey history with his 252nd appearance, surpassing the legendary Billy Bridges.
The 35-year-old forward, now a vocal advocate for inclusivity in adaptive sports, continues to defy odds. Once known as “the kid with cancer,” Dixon has become the face of resilience for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team — a leader on and off the ice.
Diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma as a child, Dixon underwent surgery that permanently altered his mobility. But he never let it define him. “You can’t control all the stuff around you,” Dixon reflected. “But you can control your attitude toward it.” That mindset became his secret weapon — transforming tragedy into triumph.
Dixon’s performance in Canada’s 4-2 win over China on Tuesday only added to the legend. Playing in his record-extending 254th game, he scored the eventual game-winner in the third period, helping Canada finish the preliminary round with a flawless 3-0 record. The win secured their spot atop the pool and set up a semifinal clash against Czechia on Friday.
Dominic Cozzolino, who leads the tournament in goals, opened the scoring and later added his seventh tally, while Mathieu Lelièvre notched his first of the championship. Goalie Corbin Watson turned away 13 shots, anchoring a sound defensive effort that kept Canada composed even as the game remained tied through two periods.
“There was no panic at all in that room,” said Cozzolino. “We didn’t waver, didn’t get frustrated. Every line kept pounding the rock, and it led to success.”
For Dixon, the victory was personal and poetic. From chasing dreams of returning to stand-up hockey as a teenager to embracing para hockey as his calling, his return to the team after a brief hiatus has brought renewed purpose. Now playing as a forward — after years as one of the sport’s premier defensemen — he’s savoring every shift.
“He’s come back with gratitude,” said head coach Russ Herrington. “He’s cherishing moments in a way he might not have five or six years ago.”
Dixon’s story is not just about records. It’s about persistence, perspective, and proving that life’s setbacks can still lead to global triumphs. His presence fuels Team Canada’s culture — a fusion of experience, mentorship, and unrelenting drive.
As the semifinals approach, Canada’s mission remains clear: defend their title and honor the players who carry not just pucks — but powerful stories — across the ice.