Jaimee MacDonald Becomes First Woman To Coach In Canadian Blind Hockey League

When Canada's Blind Hockey League drops the puck this weekend for the Carnegie Cup in Ottawa, there will not only be women on the ice, but for the first time, there will be a woman behind the bench.

The Blind Hockey League has named Jaimee MacDonald a new coach, making her the first woman to coach in the Blind Hockey League.

MacDonald played for the OWHL's Cambridge Rivulettes before playing U Sports hockey for Laurentian University and the University of Ottawa. Holding degrees in human kinestics and education, MacDonald spent last season as an assistant coach for the Carleton University women's hockey team.

The 2024 Carnegie Cup will take place at TD Place Arena in Ottawa from December 20-22 in conjunction with pre-tournament games for the IIHF World Junior Championships. The tournament is being hosted in partnership by Hockey Canada and Canadian Blind Hockey.

“Hockey Canada is thrilled to partner with the BHL and Canadian Blind Hockey to showcase the para sport of Blind Ice Hockey leading up to the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada in a press release. “Hockey Canada is committed to making the sport more inclusive for all Canadians and we know the great fans in the nation’s capital will be treated to an excellent series that demonstrates an elite form of adapted hockey ahead of one of the most prestigious international hockey tournaments.”

Games will take place between two teams, the Aces and Mercurys with the intent of showcasing Blind Hockey more globally, and eventually seeing the sport included in the Paralympics.

“The Blind Hockey League brings together the best Blind Hockey players to form one elite league, allowing for more international participation as we grow the Para sport worldwide,” said Dan Schramm, Chairman Board of Directors of the BHL/BHLPA. “This event will showcase the skill level of our elite athletes and inspire fans to show that hockey truly is for everyone.”

“Canadian Blind Hockey is proud to support all levels of the game from grassroots to high performance,” said Matt Morrow, Executive Director of Canadian Blind Hockey. “Our partnership with the BHL is vital for the growth of Blind Hockey and one day seeing the sport in the Paralympic games.”

The Aces and Mercurys, named after Herb Carnegie's first two professional teams including multiple women including national team member Amanda Proven of Sudbury, Ontario, and Mount Kisco, New York's Christine Callagy.