Deaf/Hard of Hearing Hockey is for the individual who has been diagnosed with a hearing loss. The game is played according to USA Hockey rules and instruction is based on the individual players ability to improve their skills in an environment that is receptive to their needs and demands. The ability to communicate with coaches and other players regardless of their method of communication is a huge focus. Whether a player utilizes sign language, lip reading, hearing aids, or cochlear implants, etc. interpreters are there to make sure they understand the instruction. Players receive instruction from a coaching staff with college, national and international experience. 

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Hockey players participate in their local hockey associations and on high school, college and jr. teams. Many have also gone on to play for the US Deaf Ice Hockey Team in the Deaflympics. Participation allows players the opportunity to achieve goals and become successful in both life and hockey.

Garrett Gintoli scored three goals and Joseph Lingle made 30 saves as the U.S. Deaf Ice Hockey Team defeated Canada, 6-3, to claim the gold medal at the 2017 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship in Amherst, New York. 

With the win, Team USA finished the tournament with a 3-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record that included victories over Czech Republic (17-0), Finland (6-2) and Kazakhstan (32-0). Its lone loss came to Canada by a 5-2 score.

Both teams traded chances early in the first period before Team USA opened the scoring with 2:04 remaining when Peter Gintoli connected off assists from Robert Ruef and TJ Orrichio. 

In the second stanza, Team USA made it 2-0 when Reuf connected 5:36 into the frame, but Canada cut Team USA’s lead to one when Jason Veilleux scored two minutes later. Taylor Andersen then tallied at the 10:46 mark before G. Gintoli scored twice in the final five minutes of the frame to push Team USA’s lead to 5-1 entering the second intermission.

Veilleux connected again 2:46 into the final frame before Andrew Hughes added a third goal for Canada to make the score 5-3. With 3:39 remaining, G. Gintoli tallied his third of the game to account for the 6-3, gold medal victory.

NOTES: Garrett Gintoli was named the U.S. Player of the Game … The U.S. was outshot by Canada, 33-29. For complete game statistics, click here ... Team USA outscored its opponents, 57-7, en route to the gold medal.