In February 2024, the Camrose Kodiaks honoured Boris Rybalka, a man who had spent 26 seasons as their general manager and coach.

It was a night filled with memories, gratitude, and a few surprises. Rybalka let the cat out of the bag: he was stepping into a new role as an assistant coach for the Canadian men’s para hockey team.

TAIT: Canada starts Paralympic hockey with a victory Back to video

For Rybalka, coaching has always been about more than just wins and losses. It’s about finding the motivation to inspire his players to reach their full potential.

And for this new chapter in his career, Rybalka’s motivation is deeply personal. He’s chasing a gold medal for someone who left an indelible mark on his life: Matt Cook.

Cook’s story is one of courage and determination. Diagnosed with bone cancer as a teenager, he had his left leg amputated. But that didn’t stop him from pursuing his love of hockey.

His brother, Brady, joined the Kodiaks, and in 2007, the team was at the RBC Cup in Prince George. During a game, there was a para hockey demonstration between periods. Matt was there, and something clicked. He was hooked.

By 2009, Cook had earned a spot on the Canadian national para hockey team. He was poised to compete in the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics, but his cancer progressed, and he couldn’t play. Cook passed away in April 2014, but his spirit and determination stayed with Rybalka.

Fast forward to July 2025, when Rybalka was named head coach of Canada’s para hockey team. His goal? To honour Matt’s memory by leading the team to gold.

On Saturday, Rybalka and Team Canada took their first step toward that goal with an 8-0 win over Slovakia in the opening game of the eight-team Paralympic tournament.

The win was Rybalka’s first Paralympic victory.

“It’s an honour and a privilege, but, to be honest, it’s not about me. It’s about, that Maple Leaf on in the boys’ chest, and it’s about the players,” he said. “ I couldn’t be more proud of them. They stayed consistent. So, that’s what I’m all about, and that’s what I believe. And it’s about the team and about the country and the Maple Leaf. ”

It was a dominant performance, as expected. Slovakia, new to the sport, had only three spare players on the bench and is still finding its footing. Canada, ranked second in the world, peppered the Slovakian net with 51 shots across three 15-minute periods.

“You know, a lot of coaches always talk about funnelling pucks to the net. A lot of shots. Is that part of the game plan? Is it just everything to the net? It is.”

But for Rybalka and his team, it’s not just about the score. It’s about getting better every period, every game.

“We want to get better, every period,” said Canadian captain Tyler McGregor, who was one of six players to score. “If we do that, we should be in good shape at the end of this week.”

McGregor, who also logged an assist and over 15 minutes of ice time, was chosen as Canada’s flag bearer for the opening ceremonies. However, the Canadian Paralympic Committee decided that all athletes would skip the ceremonies to focus on competition.

One new feature in this year’s Paralympics is ice throughout the player benches, allowing smoother transitions for players and their sleds. It’s a small change, but one that makes a big difference.

Canada now has a day off before facing Japan on Monday. The last time these two teams met, in May 2024, Canada cruised to a 19-0 victory. Earlier on Saturday, Japan lost a close 3-2 game to Czechia.

For Rybalka, every game is another step toward his ultimate goal. And with Matt Cook’s memory driving him, you can bet he won’t stop until the job is done.

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