FERGUS – Richard Wigmore recently led the men’s Team Canada Ball Hockey Team to a silver medal at the world championships.
Co-captain Wigmore and his teammates flew to over 1,700 miles to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to compete in the four-on-four World Ball and Dek Hockey Federation Championships.
The Fergus resident’s ball hockey career began after his ice hockey career ended.
“I played junior hockey until I was 21 and then senior until I was 27/28 and somewhere in between the two I started dabbling with ball hockey,” Wigmore told the Advertiser.
“I missed competing and I didn’t have that outlet in life anymore.”
Over the last 10 years, Wigmore typically played for his club team in London.
“You would go to provincials with your club team and then if you win provincials, you get a bid to go to nationals,” he explained. “[Nationals] is where you’re going to find the best players.”
And that’s where Team Canada scouts found Wigmore.
“It’s like every young hockey player’s dream … to wear the maple leaf on your chest means a lot,” he said of representing Canada.
Wigmore noted playing for the national teams became a “big goal” as soon as he began playing in competitive tournaments.
“It was something I didn’t see possible and it happened late in my career,” he said. “I’m 35 and there’s a lot of younger athletes on our team.”
Wigmore was also honoured to be named co-captain of the team, a first for the defenceman.
Wigmore showing off his silver medal on the beaches of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Submitted photo
Tournament
The tournament ran from Nov. 22 to 29 and included seven teams. During round robin play, Canada beat the U.S., Czechia and Slovakia and lost 1-0 to Greece.
“In the quarter-finals we won in a shootout against Slovakia” Wigmore said.
Czechia was next in the semi-final.
“I scored in that game, it was the tying goal,” Wigmore said, adding the game ended 5-4 for Team Canada.
Unfortunately the team’s winning streak came to an end in the final against Greece.
“We lost 3-2 in a shootout,” Wigmore said. “At that point in the game, it’s kind of a coin flip.”
Wigmore did not compete in the shootout and ended his fourth international event with Team Canada with five points in nine games.
“I did get player of the game against Greece and I’m proud of that, but it’s also bittersweet,” he added. “I would trade (that) for a gold medal.”
Beating Czechia
Wigmore told the Advertiser one of his proudest moments during the tournament was beating Czechia.
“We’ve never beat [them]before,” he said. “It’s difficult to beat the same team twice in a tournament and we knew they would be stronger in the elimination game.”
During the last minute, Czechia pulled their goalie, giving their team an extra player against Canada.
“It was a shooting gallery and all of our guys were blocking shots and putting their bodies on the line,” Wigmore said.
“That’s when I was most proud. Just to see the commitment from the team … and doing what it takes to win and close off a game at that level.”
Richard Wigmore with his fiancée Cassie Silverthorn, left, after the final game. Submitted photo
Challenges
The heat proved to be a challenge as “there was no air conditioning” in the arena, Wigmore said. “Whatever the temperature is outside, it was inside.”
Once off the arena floor, staff members were quick to apply ice packs and ensure players were hydrated.
Wigmore and his team struggled with the heat, but his career in personal training and owning a fitness facility in Elora (RT Health Company) supported him through the times of exertion.
Wigmore said it’s important to not give up because of age.
“If you take care of your body, health and mind there’s no reason for you to stop,” he said. “Keep pursuing your dreams because I definitely didn’t expect to be the captain of Team Canada [at] 35 years old.”
Wigmore said he’s looking forward to some time off as he and his fiancée Cassie prepare for their wedding in the new year.
The thought of retiring has entered Wigmore’s head, but so too have the words of his fiancée.
“Cassie is always encouraging me that if I love it and want to keep competing then I should,” he added. “I don’t know if I would have continued without her support.”
Though his future in ball hockey is unclear, Wigmore said he “always seems to find a way to stay in the game.”
