'We've got our alarms set': Liam Hickey's family ready for Team Canada to open Paralympic Games

Team Canada's quest for para hockey gold at the 2022 Paralympic Games in Beijing starts Saturday against the United States, with a Newfoundlander leading the charge.

But the nine-day event is much different from the last time it was held, with the COVID-19 pandemic throwing a wrench into the works. Families aren't making the trip to show support in person but will stick to phone calls and social media. The family of Newfoundland and Labrador's Liam Hickey will be cheering him on from home.

"He knows that, obviously, he's got all the support from here at home. He definitely feels it," Liam's dad, Todd Hickey, told CBC News this week. 

"His immediate family, his extended family and pretty much the entire province, I think, is behind him. So he definitely feels that support even though he's a long ways away."

The club is a mix of seven newcomers hoping to snag their first Paralympic medals and 10 returning veterans.

Liam Hickey was part of the 2018 squad that brought home silver in Pyeongchang, a defeat at the hands of the U.S. in a 2-1 overtime battle. This year he's stepping into a leadership role after being named an alternate captain. 

Team Canada team left for China a week ago to get settled into the athlete's village, but many players have been away from home since January as the team decided to bubble-up for practices in Calgary to avoid potential challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Todd Hickey says this year will be an unusual experience for the family.

"We've been fortunate enough to travel to other Paralympics that Liam has participated in," he said. "It's different being here as opposed to travelling to the Games and seeing it first-hand … but I think everyone is eager to see him get out there and do his thing on