US Men’s National Deaf Ice Hockey Team Wins Gold at 2019 Deaflympics

The US Men’s National Deaf Ice Hockey Team defeated Canada to win gold at the 19th Winter Deaflympics on December 21, 2019. The 19^th Winter Deaflympics were held December 12–21, 2019, in Valtellina Valchiavenna, Italy. The competition was organized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf and sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, IOC.

Hockey teams from Canada, Finland, Kazakhstan, Russia and the United States competed at the 2019 games. The US team beat Finland (6-2), Kazakhstan (14-0) and Russia (7-3) in round robin play.  They suffered their only round robin loss to Canada (1-4) the day preceding the championship game. In the gold medal game, the US team took a decisive lead in the second period going up 4-1. The game ended with a final score of USA 7 – Canada 3.

The US team included 16 players who previously competed internationally as a member of U.S. teams that won a bronze medal at the 2015 Deaflympics held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, and/or the gold medal at the 2017 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships. This year’s team members ranged in age from 16 to 34 and hailed from 14 states.

19^th Winter Deaflympics – USA Ice Hockey Team

Name	Height	Weight	Age	Position	Hometown
Curran Allison*	6 – 1	160	22	Goalie	Laguna Niguel, CA
Tyler Balcerak	5 – 10	200	18	Defense	Barrington, IL
Troy Benson*	6 – 3	196	29	Forward	Henderson, NC
Christian Buczek*	5 – 10	170	22	Defense	Hamburg, NY
Max Finley*	6 – 1	180	25	Forward	Peoria, IL
Henry Fusco*	5 – 9	140	18	Forward	White Bear Lake, MN
Miles Gates*	6 – 2	218	30	Defense	Erie, PA
Garrett Gintoli*	6 – 2	170	23	Forward	Shelton, CT
Peter Gintoli*	5 – 8	175	27	Forward	Shelton, CT
William “Bill” Holtzer	5 – 10	160	16	Forward	Akron, OH
Sam Holzrichter*	5 – 10	150	22	Forward	Sioux City, IA
Scott Humes*	6 – 3	215	23	Forward	Columbus, OH
Grant Isenbarger*	6 – 2	180	25	Forward	Ft. Wayne, IN
Ryne Krueger*	6 – 2	165	21	Defense	Barrington, IL
Danny Kurchena*	6 – 2	195	22	Forward	Rutland, VT
Anders Lindgren	5 – 11	170	20	Forward	Saint Anne, IL
Jeff Mansfield*	6 – 1	190	34	Goalie	Arlington, MA
Trevor McHugh	6 – 2	150	18	Goalie	Montclair, VA
T.J. Oricchio*	5 – 11	160	22	Defense	Plattsburgh, NY
Luke Peinado	5 – 9	155	16	Defense	Winnetka, IL
Jake Schlereth	5 – 9	175	18	Forward	Fenton, MO
Max Stephens	5 – 10	155	17	Defense	Medford, MA
Derek Struwing*	5 – 9	165	21	Forward	Bartlett, IL

*Previous international team experience

“We had one goal for the Deaflympics, to win gold,” said General Manager Richard Dumas. “I can’t say enough about our players and how quickly they came together as a team. From the first game on, they played at a high level and demonstrated their will to do what it took to win. It was a tremendous honor to represent the United States and to return home with a gold medal.”

The team operates under the guidelines of USA Hockey and the USA Deaf Sports Federation with primary responsibility to organize the team resting with AHIHA – Stan Mikita Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. To qualify, athletes must have a hearing loss of at least 55 dB in their “better ear.” Hearing aids, cochlear implants and the like are not allowed during competition to ensure that all athletes play on the same level.

For information, photos and game summaries check out:  http://www.2019deaflympics.com/

Information about AHIHA can be found at:  http://www.ahiha.org