Mark DeMontis is building a more inclusive future for blind and partially-sighted players, both on and off the ice. At just 17 — one year away from a hopeful NCAA scholarship — Mark was diagnosed with LHON, causing him to lose his central sight in a matter of days. His whole life changed. But that didn’t slow him down. He went on to found Courage Canada, a charity dedicated to launching hockey programs for the blind and partially-sighted. In 2009, Mark put on a pair of inline skates and skated 5,000 km across Canada to raise funds and awareness. In 2011, he skated another 2,000 km to continue his effort. Then in 2021, he completed a 10-day relay campaign with the goal of raising $100,000 to support Parasport Blind Hockey. Today, Courage Canada has evolved into Canadian Blind Hockey, and their mission remains the same: to remove barriers and raise awareness and representation for blind and partially-sighted hockey players across the country. Tune in to hear Mark’s incredible story. And visit our site to see how other Canadians athletes are upping the game too. #linkinbio #LetsUpOurGame ⭐️: @canadianblindhockey