A minor injury cost former Humboldt Broncos hockey player Jacob Wassermann an opportunity to compete at last monthB次元官网网址檚 adaptive water-ski world championship in Norway.

But he says that just getting to be part of the Canadian team has whetted his appetite for the sport and increased his determination to attend the next championship in Australia in a couple of years.

Wassermann was invited to complete as a prospect in Skarnes, Norway, but is planning a different way in next time.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going there as an athlete. I want to go as a full part of the team,B次元官网网址� Wassermann told The Canadian Press in an interview from his home in Saskatoon.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 my goal. ItB次元官网网址檚 a very achievable one in my opinion.B次元官网网址�

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The former Broncos goaltender, who started in the net when he was nine, was paralyzed last year when the junior hockey teamB次元官网网址檚 bus and a semi collided at an intersection in rural Saskatchewan. Sixteen people were killed.

Now 19, Wassermann took up adaptive water-skiing a year ago at the urging of national team member Nolan Barnes, who was paralyzed in a car accident nine years ago.

Wassermann will be back on the water this weekend as Saskatoon holds the provincial water-skiing championship.

B次元官网网址淔or me, itB次元官网网址檚 just the freedom you get. You get out of your chair, get on the water and youB次元官网网址檙e going fast B次元官网网址� not a lot of sports get that kind of speed and adrenaline,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭he seasonB次元官网网址檚 almost over. WeB次元官网网址檙e running out of summer here. IB次元官网网址檒l ski until the yearB次元官网网址檚 over and it gets too cold to get into the water and IB次元官网网址檓 starting school.B次元官网网址�

The sport involves a specially modified wakeboard attached to a ski with a cage that the skier is strapped into. Athletes are expected to compete in three categories: tricks, slalom and jumping.

Wassermann said he was surprised at the camaraderie among the competitors in the international community.

B次元官网网址淲hen theyB次元官网网址檙e on the water, you can tell theyB次元官网网址檙e going to work. But when theyB次元官网网址檙e off the water B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e sort of hanging out, supporting their teams, supporting the other skiers,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a different environment from what IB次元官网网址檓 used to in the hockey world, where if itB次元官网网址檚 not your team youB次元官网网址檙e against them.B次元官网网址�

Wassermann is to begin classes at the University of Saskatchewan this fall. He hopes to eventually have a career in nutrition.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press

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