Dustin Butterfield (92) competes at the recent 7th annual Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament at Ryerson University last month. (Serena Webber)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

looking for players

Local man has big vision for blind hockey

Apr 13, 2019 | 10:00 AM

A Lacombe man is trying to bring a blind hockey team to the region.

Dustin Butterfield, now 37, has a genetic condition that has worsened his vision over time. Now, he needs more people to show interest before booking some ice time for the Central Alberta Bullseye.

Butterfield believes that once a team can get off the ground and onto the rink, a blind hockey organization would benefit everyone.

“Probably the most important thing my team could do is get some of the kids and youth out on the ice. Often visually impaired kids have a bit less opportunity to play sports and be in that team environment,” he says.

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“For myself, it’s just wanting to get more practice, have a team and organize some Alberta events where we can get the Edmonton See Hawks and Calgary Seeing Ice Dogs to come up to our region”

Butterfield adds that with hockey of all levels surrounding central Alberta, it’s only fair that visually impaired folks should get to play as well.

“There’s just so much you can learn from a team sport, from training and working to improve, to being fit and increasing your activity level,” he says. “Part of that team concept is the winning and losing, and through your life, whether you have a disability or not, you’re going to face a number of challenges. Team sport is one thing that can help prepare you so you’re ready to fight and put in a good effort.”

In this country, the game is overseen by the Canadian Blind Hockey Association. It is played with a bigger and slower puck that makes noise.

The CBHA works in partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, who are happy to hear of Butterfield’s endeavours.

“We think this is wonderful that someone is taking the initiative, and to have the recreation opportunity in central Alberta as well will bring new opportunities to clients in that region,” says Margaret Varty, Coordinator of Community Engagement, AB/NWT.

“It’s absolutely important that youth have access to these opportunities. We want to make sure that our youth who are blind and visually impaired have access to the same opportunities that their peers do. For most Canadians, that really does mean playing hockey.”

There are 55,000 Albertans who are eligible for assistance from the CNIB. Approximately 12,000 received help in 2018.

For those interested in the blind hockey program, Butterfield can be contacted through the Bullseye Facebook page.