Sappers Participate in 2017 Invictus Games 23 – 30 September 2017, Toronto

Logo
Publication Date 
01 Sep 2017

Veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces will compete as Team Canada in the 2017 Invictus Games held between September 23 and 30, 2017 in Toronto.  The Invictus Games is an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event, created by Prince Harry in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports competition.

More than 550 servicemen and women from  17 allied nations will compete in 12 adaptive sports, at various locations across the city. Of the 90 Team Canada members or veterans with physical or mental health injuries or illnesses related to their service, 13 are members of the CME family.  Each is listed below with a short biographical note.  

Join with the CMEA to wish them all the very best of luck.

CHIMO!

Aubé, Étienne  

MCpl Étienne Aubé (Ret'd)

Étienne Aubé is truly a Soldier On/Sans Limites success: not only does he credit the program for giving him back his confidence and motivation, but his When he is not playing with his puppy and reading, the retired Combat Engineer is training in the Valcartier, Quebec area to compete on Team Canada's golf team at the Invictus Games.

 

 

Phillip Badanai

 

 

Cpl Phillip Badanai (Ret'd)

Phillip Badanai, a Canadian Army FireFighter Veteran, is dauntlessly training for three sports leading up to Invictus Games 2017: rowing, wheelchair rugby and a third undecided sport. "The Games are going to challenge me," says the Barrie, Ontario, resident. "They are going to get me out of my head and out of my basement."

Marc Comeau

 

 

Sgt Marc Comeau (Ret'd)

"To live a moment more with my brothers and sisters-in-arms." That is what Marc Comeau is most looking forward to as he prepares for Invictus Games 2017." Born in Tracadie, New Brunswick, the Oromocto, New Brunswick resident, a former Combat Engineer, is training in archery.

 

Mark Hoogendorn

 

 

MCpl Mark Hoogendorn (Ret'd)

Mark Hoogendoorn credits Soldier On for reintroducing him to an active lifestyle and sports after losing his left leg in Afghanistan. This new active lifestyle has enabled him to continue his career as a Combat Engineer in the Canadian Armed Forces. The Charters Settlement resident currently trains in powerlifting and wheelchair rugby.

 

Blaise Lapointe

 

 

Maj Blaise Lapointe

Blaise Lapointe, a Royal Canadian Engineer, might have the largest contingency of fans as he prepares for Invictus Games 2017, including his wife and seven children. The Cantley, Quebec, resident is currently training in track and field, cycling and wheelchair basketball. "Soldier On and Invictus Games change the way we look at the injury; it is no longer so much a bad thing as a challenge."

 

Michel LeBlanc

 

 

MCpl Michel LeBlanc (Ret'd)

Michel LeBlanc is passionate about his training for rowing and cycling and Invictus Games 2017. "I love so much about the Invictus Games. The likeminded people from multiple countries coming together for the same cause and enjoying the experience as one. The opportunity to show the world that when you get knocked down you can get back up and achieve so much," says the retired Plumbing and Heating Technician is from Fredericton, New Brunswick.

 

Tyron Lincoln

 

 

Sgt Tyron Lincoln (Ret'd)

Tyron Lincoln's grandmother is his inspiration for the Invictus Games and beyond. "She was my mother and father and shaped me into the determined man I am today." The Burlington, Ontario resident who was a Geomatics Technician with the Canadian Army is training in track and field, cycling and wheelchair rugby.

 

MacIsaac, Carson

 

 

MCpl Carson MacIsaac (Ret'd)

Inverness, Nova Scotia, native Carson MacIsaac is using Soldier On and the Invictus Games 2017 as motivation to "accept the way things are and move forward." The retired Canadian Army Combat Engineer is currently training in golf, and track and field.

 

Bruce Matthews

 

 

Cpl Bruce Matthews (Ret'd)

Bruce Matthews finds that being a member of Team Canada - Invictus Games 2017 brings new focus to his life. "The Invictus Games has given me a purpose to my day. My daily routine now encompasses more training, healthier eating and a more focused and positive mindset. I have already connected with many peers who I can relate to and who can understand my daily struggles." Retired from the Canadian Army as an Infantryman and Combat Engineer, and the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Aviation Technician lives in Innisfil, Ontario, and is training in the sports of powerlifting, rowing and athletics.

 

Jason Maves

 

 

Pte Jason Maves (Ret'd)

Jason Maves is looking forward to a large cheering section at Invictus Games 2017. "Many friends and family members want to come and are bugging me for ticket details. About six friends and 12 family members will be hooting from the stands." However, three of those fans hold a special place in Maves' heart. "I just want to see my boys' and wife Becky's eyes when they see how far I have come," he says. From Welland, Ontario, the retired Army Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician is training in track and field, and wheelchair rugby.

 

Dwayne Thorpe

 

 

Cpl Dwayne Thorpe (Ret'd)

A retired Combat Engineer corporal, Dwayne Thorpe is participating in Invictus Games and Soldier On as a way to challenge himself back to being healthy and active. "I am hoping to do the best I can to achieve my goals for the Games, or surpass them. That way I can create new and bigger goals and push myself a little more." The Geary, New Brunswick resident is currently training in powerlifting and rowing.

 

Kristopher Vaughan

 

 

Sgt Kristopher Vaughan (Ret'd)

Kristopher Vaughan from Kingston, Ontario, looks across the breakfast table for inspiration. "My wife Sherri is so strong. She stood by me at my worst, made me believe in myself, made me believe I can accomplish anything - especially recovery." The Construction Technician with the Royal Canadian Air Force spends his spare time building homes for Habitat for Humanity and training in the sport of archery.

 

Will Werth

 

 

Cpl Will Werth (Ret'd)

Having just completed his advanced diploma in Software Engineering from Conestoga College, Will Werth is now focused on training for Invictus Games 2017. The former Combat Engineer with the Canadian Army from Plattsville, Ontario is training for the golf event.