Vincent Boily

Early Life and Accident

Vincent Boily was born on June 2, 2000, in the Lac-Saint-Jean region community of Alma, Quebec. He grew up playing stand-up ice hockey from a young age, developing his skills within the minor hockey system. Boily played for the St-Eustache Vikings, a competitive minor hockey organization, demonstrating his early passion and talent for the sport. His life and athletic trajectory changed dramatically in December 2017 when he was involved in a serious snowmobile accident that resulted in paralysis. In the aftermath of the accident, medical professionals informed Boily that he would likely never walk again, a prognosis he was determined to challenge through rehabilitation and sport.

Following his injury, Boily began exploring various para sports as part of his physical and psychological recovery. He initially took up para rowing and para cycling, adapting to new disciplines that accommodated his physical condition. His competitive drive eventually led him to discover para ice hockey, also known as sled hockey, a fast-paced team sport played on sleds. The transition to sled hockey allowed Boily to channel his previous ice hockey experience into a new, highly competitive arena, setting the stage for his future national team career and his pursuit of excellence at the international level.

Rise in Para Ice Hockey

Vincent Boily dedicated himself to mastering para ice hockey, rapidly ascending through the national development system. His skill, determination, and work ethic earned him a spot on the Canadian national para ice hockey team roster in 2022 at the age of 22. This marked his formal entry into the highest level of international competition for the sport. Boily made his major tournament debut at the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championships, where he helped Canada reach the final. In that championship game, Canada was defeated by the United States, earning the team a silver medal and Boily his first world championship podium finish.

Boily and his teammates returned with a dominant performance at the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships, which were held on home ice in Calgary, Alberta. The Canadian team captured the gold medal, defeating their rivals and claiming the world title. This victory was a career highlight for Boily, cementing his status as a key contributor to the national program. The following year, at the 2025 World Championships, Canada once again faced the United States in the final, repeating the result from 2023 and securing another silver medal for the squad, which continued the intense rivalry between the two North American hockey powers.

Paralympic Career and 2026 Games

Vincent Boily's consistent performance at world championships positioned him for selection to Canada's Paralympic team. On January 20, 2026, he was officially named to the roster for the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. Competing in his first Paralympic Games, Boily was part of a Canadian team seeking to break a streak of silver medals from the previous two Games. During the tournament, Boily made notable offensive contributions, including scoring a goal while falling to the ice to give Canada a 2-0 lead against Czechia during the preliminary round, a moment that was highlighted in broadcast coverage.

Canada advanced through the tournament and reached the gold medal game, setting up another final against the United States. In a closely contested match, Canada was once again bested by their American rivals, resulting in a silver medal. This outcome marked Canada's third consecutive silver medal in para ice hockey at the Winter Paralympics. Despite the loss, Boily's Paralympic debut was a significant personal achievement, adding a major international medal to his growing collection and providing him with experience on the global stage that will inform his future competitions with the national team.

International Tournament Results

Vincent Boily has established a record of consistent success in major international tournaments since joining the national team. His results reflect Canada's status as a perennial contender in world para ice hockey, often in a rivalry with the United States for top honours. The following table outlines his key tournament performances with the Canadian national team, detailing the year, event, medal result, and location where that information is available from his competitive record. This consistent podium presence demonstrates his value to the national squad across multiple championship cycles.

Beyond these podium finishes, Boily was part of the Canada national team that reached the 2025 Para Hockey Cup final. He lost to the United States in that final. His profile on the Hockey Canada website lists him for the 2025 Para Cup. These tournaments are part of his regular involvement in the national team series.

Playing Style and Team Role

Vincent Boily plays the forward position in para ice hockey, a role that requires speed, agility, and scoring touch. His background in stand-up hockey provided a foundational understanding of game dynamics and puck handling that translated effectively to the sled game. As a forward, Boily is responsible for generating offensive chances, forechecking, and contributing to team defence. His notable goal scored while falling during the 2026 Paralympics exemplifies his ability to finish plays under physical duress and maintain puck control in challenging situations, highlighting his technical skill and determination on the ice.

Within the national team structure, Boily is recognized as a determined competitor who earned his place through perseverance. Teammates and coaches have highlighted his different path to the sport, as featured in promotional content from partners like CCM Hockey. His journey from accident to elite athlete serves as an inspiration within the team environment and to aspiring para athletes across the country. Boily's role extends beyond scoring, as he is part of a cohesive unit that executes complex systems to compete against the world's best teams, particularly the United States, in high-pressure finals where every play is critical.

Public Profile and Recognition

Vincent Boily's athletic achievements and personal story have garnered public attention within Canada's sporting landscape. His recovery and success have been featured in media profiles, with headlines noting his determination to prove doctors wrong after his accident. Boily maintains a public presence on social media platforms like Instagram, where he identifies himself as a '24' World Champion' and '26' Paralympic silver medalist,' sharing aspects of his training and competition life with followers. This platform allows him to connect with fans and promote para ice hockey to a broader audience, increasing the visibility of the sport and his role within it.

In April 2026, Boily's public profile intersected with another prominent Canadian athlete when tennis star Leylah Fernandez confirmed on social media that the two were in a relationship. This brought additional media spotlight to Boily, introducing him to audiences beyond the winter sports community. His participation in the 2026 Paralympics was also documented in the official television mini-series 'Milano Cortina 2026: XIV Paralympic Winter Games,' where he appeared as himself, a member of the Canadian men's sled hockey team. These elements have contributed to a growing recognition of Boily as a notable figure in Canadian Paralympic sport with a compelling personal narrative of overcoming adversity.

Key Career Milestones

Vincent Boily's career is marked by several definitive moments. He made his first Canada national team roster in 2022 at 22 years old. He won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships. He also represented Canada at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships, where his team lost to the United States. He was named to the Canada national team for the 2026 Winter Paralympics and won a silver medal.

• December 2017: Suffered a paralyzing snowmobile accident while a minor hockey player with the St-Eustache Vikings.
• 2022: Earned his first selection to the Canadian national para ice hockey team roster at age 22.
• May 2024: Won a gold medal at the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Calgary.
• January 20, 2026: Officially named to Canada's roster for the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
• March 2026: Won a silver medal at the Milano Cortina Paralympics, Canada's third consecutive Paralympic silver in the sport.
• April 2026: Public relationship with Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez confirmed.

Vincent Boily's journey began when he was paralyzed in a snowmobile accident in December 2017. Shortly afterward, he began to take up para sports, initially in para rowing and para cycling. He then switched to para ice hockey. He has since won a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships and a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

Questions about Vincent Boily

What happened to Vincent Boily?

Vincent Boily was paralyzed in a snowmobile accident in December 2017. He was playing for the St-Eustache Vikings in minor ice hockey at the time. Doctors told him he would never walk again. He then began to take up para sports, starting with para rowing and para cycling before switching to para ice hockey.

What medals has Vincent Boily won?

Vincent Boily has won multiple medals with the Canadian national para ice hockey team. He won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Calgary. He has also won silver medals at the 2023 and 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships. At the Paralympic Games, he earned a silver medal as part of the Canadian team at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina. He was a silver medalist at the 2025 Para Hockey Cup, contributing to Canada's consistent podium presence in international competition.

Where is Vincent Boily from?

Vincent Boily is from Alma, Quebec, a city in the Lac-Saint-Jean region. He was born there on June 2, 2000. He played his minor hockey for the St-Eustache Vikings organization prior to his accident. His Quebec roots are a central part of his identity as a Canadian athlete, and his journey from a small-town hockey player to a Paralympic medalist has been followed by supporters in his home province and across the country who admire his resilience and competitive spirit.

When did Vincent Boily join the Canadian national team?

Vincent Boily first made the Canadian national para ice hockey team roster in 2022, when he was 22 years old. This selection came approximately five years after his accident and marked the beginning of his international career. His debut at a major tournament was at the 2023 World Para Ice Hockey Championships, where Canada won a silver medal. His rapid integration into the national team highlights his skill and the dedicated training he undertook after switching to the sport from other para disciplines like rowing and cycling.

What position does Vincent Boily play in para ice hockey?

Vincent Boily plays as a forward for the Canadian national para ice hockey team. The forward position is primarily offensive, focusing on scoring goals and creating plays. His background as a stand-up hockey player contributed to his puck-handling skills and hockey sense in this role. An example of his offensive capability was seen at the 2026 Paralympics when he scored a goal for Canada against Czechia while falling to the ice, demonstrating his ability to finish plays under pressure and contribute to his team's success in crucial moments.

Is Vincent Boily in a relationship with Leylah Fernandez?

Yes, Vincent Boily is in a relationship with Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez. This relationship was confirmed in April 2026 when Fernandez made an announcement on her social media accounts. The confirmation came during a period when Boily was an active member of Canada's national Para ice hockey team. At that time, he had recently won a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina. This personal detail is noted alongside his professional athletic achievements.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.