Canada's ice sledge hockey national team will be joined by sides from Russia, South Korea and the United States as the world's top four national squads compete for one of the sport's most coveted prizes.

Canada has dominated the tournament in the past, winning on five of the seven occasions it has been staged, dating back to its inauguration in Calgary in 2007.

The United States took the top prize on the other two occasions, beating Canada in the final each time.

"We're looking forward to bringing Canada's national sledge team to Leduc for one of the highlights of the sledge hockey season," said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams for Hockey Canada.

"Alberta fans have always had a passion for sledge hockey, and we're excited to get on the ice, defend the gold medal and continue to prepare for the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships."

Canada has won five of the seven titles at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge but only picked up Paralympic gold on one occasion ©Getty Images


Despite their domination at the World Challenge, Canada has only picked up gold in the Paralympic Games once, winning the sport's top prize in Turin in 2006.

The United States have won Paralympic gold on three occasions, Salt Lake City 2002, Vancouver 2006 and Sochi 2014, while Sweden and Norway won the first two tournaments in 1994 and 1998 respectively.

The 2015 World Sledge Hockey Challenge will begin with two games on February 1, as Russia takes on the United States and Canada meets South Korea.

Semi-finals are set for February 5, with the gold medal game and bronze medal game scheduled for February 7.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our community and demonstrate the importance of building accessible facilities for the benefit of all," said Leduc Mayor Greg Krischke.

"The City of Leduc is honoured to be the host city for the 2015 World Sledge Hockey Challenge."

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