Dixon had a sled that fit him properly the second time he played.

“It was way better. It was a relief,” he said, but he was not yet hooked. “I was just playing a game. I thought, ‘In the meantime, this will do until I’m well enough to play standing up.’”

Dixon played for the Elmvale Bears starting at age 11. He was invited to try out for the national team by age 17. He officially joined the squad in 2006.

Looking back at all his accomplishments, he said the meaning of these remarkable moments is not lost on him.

“It’s pretty special, especially the pride you see in (my parents). It’s an honour to wear that jersey,” he said.

Playing sledge hockey has brought him opportunities he never would have had, such as being photographed for Chatelaine magazine and getting to sample 22 butter tarts as a judge for Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival in June.

He has also travelled around the world for his sport.

“Half the time I just see the rink and the inside of the hotel,” he said, adding the Czech Republic and Japan were among his favourite trips with Team Canada.

Playing sports also allows him to bring out his “extremely competitive” side.

On the side, he puts in long hours and commitment. Off the ice, he said with a laugh, he is “often found cheating” while playing board games.

Nowadays, when he is not training or competing, Dixon is an apprentice meter technician for PowerStream. He also owns a couple renovation properties and helps coach a bantam AA hockey team in Barrie, where he lives.

“I sleep sometimes, too,” he quipped.