Tyler McGregor shares insights in the role he’s held since 2019.

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Tyler McGregor wants to make sure that hockey is in a better place when he’s done with the game.

With the start of the regular season right around the corner, there’s excitement in the hockey world to get another year going. There’s unlimited dreams and possibilities for tens of thousands of minor hockey players in every province. Opportunities abound for players to grow on the ice and within themselves as well.

The captain of Team Canada’s para-hockey team has learned that there’s no single formula to being a leader.

“I think there’s some inherent qualities to leadership, but much of that is learned and evolved along the way,” said McGregor.

His career in Paralympic sport began as a result of a bone cancer diagnosis as a teenager that forced the amputation of his left leg above the knee, altering his lifelong dreams of playing professional hockey. Despite these challenges, McGregor’s unwavering belief and determination helped him adapt, overcome, and continue to pursue excellence within the sport he’s always loved.

This led him to the sport of Para Hockey (formerly Sledge Hockey), where he has competed internationally since 2012 and is now a three-time World Champion and three-time Paralympic medalist. 

After his diagnosis, McGregor felt the impact of opportunity and of a sport that could help rebuild himself as a person. While he found the recovery after his surgery more difficult than anticipated, the turning point for him, he says, came when he got back to being physically active.

During his Make-a-Wish trip to Hawaii, McGregor was able to escape the noise and learned to surf, went on hikes, and found his energy and confidence again.

He also got on a sled for the very first time the next month and never looked back.

McGregor has realized the opportunities that obstacles can sometimes provide.

“Intentionally seeking out those challenging moments in whatever way you can is something that builds resilience within a person,” he said.

While he was named Captain in 2019, McGregor admits he didn’t know everything to start.

“I think as I moved through the past four or five years as captain, ultimately it comes down to making sure that for me, I’m the most prepared I can be and that I’m investing in every area of my life, both on and off the ice, so that I can inspire others to do the same.”

He credits his upbringing in the small town of Forest, Ontario as helping develop to his sense of community and making sure that everyone is included.

McGregor wants to be an example to the people that he meets off of the ice as well. He's thorough and dedicated to the power of community work.

Away from the rink, McGregor has also raised over $130,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation through his ‘Sledge Skate of Hope’ since 2021. He's also a member of the National Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Canada, the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council, and the Own The Podium Athlete Advisory Committee.

“I always say that leadership is an action, not a position.”