Regina wheelchair basketball players, Team Canada Paralympic Games
The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris are just around the corner, and two exceptional athletes from Regina, Saskatchewan, are gearing up to make their mark on the global stage. Nik Goncin, 32, and Garrett Ostepchuk, 24, are no strangers to the rigors and exhilaration of the Paralympics, having both represented Canada before. Now, they are set to unite once more, bringing their years of experience and undeniable chemistry to help propel Team Canada to the podium.
From Humble Beginnings to Paralympic Dreams
Nik Goncin’s journey into the world of wheelchair basketball began in a rather unexpected way. At 15, he lost his left leg to cancer, a life-altering event that introduced him to a new community and a new passion. A high school clinic exposed him to wheelchair basketball, and it was love at first sight. The sport opened his eyes to a whole new world, one where physical limitations took a backseat to fierce competition and camaraderie.
I didn’t think the Regina area Gonsin showed that there were many disabled people living there. “I remember going to my first tournament and just being blown away—there’s legs everywhere, there’s chairs everywhere. These guys are banging chairs at 25 kilometers an hour. It’s a very adrenaline-filled sport.”
It was during these early days that Goncin first encountered a young Garrett Ostepchuk, who was just in his early teens at the time. Born with muscular dystrophy, Ostepchuk had already undergone numerous surgeries, and it was during his recovery that he decided to give wheelchair basketball a try. Goncin vividly recalls their first meeting, describing how Ostepchuk walked into the gym on his hands, determined to make an impact despite his physical challenges.
Over the years, Goncin and Ostepchuk’s relationship has evolved from that of mentor and mentee to one of mutual respect and camaraderie. Their bond has been forged through countless hours on the court, sharing both victories and defeats. This relationship was solidified when Ostepchuk joined Goncin on the Canadian Paralympic team in Tokyo in 2020, marking the beginning of what has now become a formidable partnership.
If you had told me, ‘You and this kid are going to play on the Paralympic team,’ two Paralympic Games in a row now, I would have told you to kick the rocks. Goncin says with a laugh. It’s just opening up my world to not feel so limited anymore.
For Ostepchuk, the opportunity to play alongside someone he has long looked up to has been nothing short of inspiring. He credits Goncin with teaching him many of the skills and strategies that have helped him excel on the court. “G is very much known for his feistiness that is borderline dirtiness,” Goncin jokes, “But I was in the same sort of role when I was his age and on the team. I feel like it’s a mini-me sometimes when he’s losing his mind out there.”
As Team Canada prepares to take on the world in Paris, Goncin and Ostepchuk are determined to improve on their previous performances. The team, which dominated the sport in the early 2000s with three gold medals and a silver from 2000 to 2012, has struggled in recent years, finishing eighth in Tokyo. However, the duo from Regina is hopeful that their collective experience and synergy can help steer the team back to the top.
“We’re definitely aiming to improve on our sixth-place finish at the 2022 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships,” says Ostepchuk. The two athletes are aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but they are equally confident in their ability to overcome them.
Preparation for the Paralympics is no small feat, and both Goncin and Ostepchuk have been training rigorously to ensure they are in peak condition for the games. For Ostepchuk, this has meant spending much of his time in Spain, where he plays professionally. The level of competition in Europe is higher, providing him with more opportunities to hone his skills against top-tier talent.
“It’s a little harder to get consistent games like that in Canada because the country is so big and the best players are more spread out,” he explains. “Every game matters in pro, and you are working the entire season to finish well.”
Goncin, who now serves as the co-captain of Canada’s national team, has taken on a leadership role, not only on the court but also as a mentor to younger players. Watching Ostepchuk’s growth has been particularly fulfilling for him. He says it has been wonderful to watch Gee develop into a high-level player and inspire the next generation of Saskatchewan wheelchair basketball players.
Both Goncin and Ostepchuk are acutely aware of the impact they can have on young athletes in their home province. Saskatchewan has produced some outstanding wheelchair basketball players over the years, and the duo hopes their success will encourage more kids to give the sport a try.
Chad Jassman, another player with ties to Saskatchewan, shares this sentiment. Though he was born in Alberta, Jassman spent part of his childhood in Burstall, Saskatchewan, and he hopes his story, along with those of Goncin and Ostepchuk, will inspire others.
I would also like one person to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to try wheelchair basketball,’ or better yet, ‘I’m going to try some kind of para-sport, Which I like and join,’ Jassman says. “You’re only as limited as the limits you put up by yourself.”
One of the most exciting aspects of the 2024 Paralympic Games for Ostepchuk is the prospect of having his family in the stands. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they were unable to attend the Tokyo Games, making this opportunity all the more special.
The first time they saw me play internationally was back in 2017, and they haven’t been able to since then, says Ostepchuk. It would be great to have them there in Paris, I was encouraged.
For both Ostepchuk and Goncin, the support of their families has been instrumental in their careers. Their presence in Paris will undoubtedly provide an additional boost as they strive to achieve their goals.
The Future of Canadian Wheelchair Basketball
Looking beyond the 2024 Paralympics, both Goncin and Ostepchuk are optimistic about the future of wheelchair basketball in Canada. While the sport may not yet have the same level of recognition as some others, its popularity is growing, and the talent pool is deepening.
Goncin is particularly excited about the next generation of players, many of whom he has had a hand in mentoring. “There’s so much potential in this country,” he says. “We just need to keep pushing, keep developing, and keep believing in ourselves.”
Ostepchuk, who is still in the early stages of his professional career, is equally optimistic. “I’m just getting started,” he says. There is much more to come, and I am ready to face whatever challenges come my way.
As the Canadian wheelchair basketball team kicks off its Paralympic campaign against France, all eyes will be on the dynamic duo from Regina. With their years of experience, shared history, and unbreakable bond, Nik Goncin and Garrett Ostepchuk are poised to lead Team Canada to new heights.
Whether they reach the podium or not, their journey to the Paralympics has already been a triumph of determination, resilience, and teamwork. And as they take to the court in Paris, they will do so with the full support of their families, teammates, and the entire country behind them.
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